Vol. 8, Number 4 Oct/Nov/Dec 2007, Issue No. 33

Hastening TimesR e m n a n t C h u r c h o f J e s u s C h r i s t o f L a t t e r D a y S a i n t s

The

The HasteningTimes

Volume 8 - Number 4Issue 33

Oct/Nov/Dec 2007

Editors In ChiefThe First PresidencyFrederick N. LarsenRobert E. Ostrander

Lane W. Harold

Managing EditorLane W. Harold

Manuscript PreparationE. Kaye Strecker

Ruth I. Harold, Assistant

Final ProofreaderCarol E. Starks

Production ManagerEdwin M. Gates

“The Hastening Times”is published quarterly by the

RemnantCHURCH of JESUS CHRIST

of Latter Day Saints700 W. Lexington

Independence, MO 64050(816) 461-7215

FAX (816) 461-7278

Inside This Issue

Editorial Comment ......................................................................3

Going Into the Field Promptly.....................................................4President Robert E. Ostrander, Independence, MO

Discerning the Will of God .........................................................8Apostle Gary L. Argotsinger, Portsmouth, IA

Zion: Are We There Yet? ..........................................................11Elder Jerry D. Wilhite, Glenns Ferry, ID

2007 Priesthood Assembly Focused on A Call to Gather .........13

This I Believe ............................................................................18Poem by Elder Frederick J. Moore

Photographs: Kingdom Living Seminars, PriesthoodAssembly, Women’s Retreat .................................................19

You Are Chosen!.......................................................................23Reflections on the 2007 Women’s Retreat

You Are Chosen-If You Choose to be Obedient.......................24Patriarch/Evangelist Roger C. Gault, Blue Springs, MO

Kingdom-Living Discussed in Six Fall Seminars .....................27

From the Order of Patriarch/Evangelists ...................................28Patriarch William D. McCurry, Independence, MO

The Storm Is Coming… ............................................................30President Lane W. Harold, Lee’s Summit, MO

Idaho Saints Support Walla Walla Saints..................................37Elder Jerry D. Wilhite, Glenns Ferry, ID

News from the Branches ...........................................................38

VISIT OUR WEB-SITEwww.theremnantchurch.com

FRONT COVER —Patriarch/Evangelist Roger C. Gaultbrings patriarchal ministry to the 2007 Women’s Retreat

Photo taken by Jeffrey Lysinger.

Articles and the opinions expressedherein do not necessarily represent theofficial position of the Remnant Churchof Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.Unsigned articles are attributable to theEditors. All materials submitted may be

edited for clarity and space.

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Editorial Comment . . .A particular passage of scripture has come to mind at this special time of the year. Recorded inSection 59:2d, among the other “Thou shalt not” commandments given to the Church onAugust 7, 1831 by prophet Joseph Smith, Jr., was “Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in allthings.” We have just completed our holiday known as Thanksgiving. That day was set aside torecall a “first day of thanksgiving” by our Pilgrim fathers. They were grateful for the harvest andkindness shown to them by the native Americans. They were a people who had sacrificed muchto attain the ability to worship as they chose.

As we reflect upon all we have to be thankful for, the list should be very long. The land ofpromise to those who serve the Lord God in righteousness should be at the top, for we truly havebeen able to worship as we choose. In many ways we believe that the Remnant Church has beencalled in renewal to bring to pass the Kingdom of God in these Last Days—a considerablechallenge as many of us know. Yes, I believe we can be thankful for our commitment we havemade to build that Kingdom here on earth.

But, the commandment is to be thankful in all things. When we arise in the morning one shouldbe thankful. When we retire we should be thankful. When we partake of our food we should bethankful. Can you add to these? I think so.

One point for thankfulness might be the subject of personal health. For many of us, particularlythe seniors, this is an area of health concern. I am personally so very thankful for the availabilityof skilled surgeons and medical facilities to provide healing and care to be able to continue ingood physical health in the service of my Lord—not just for myself but for my spouse, familyand friends. The Lord has commanded us to care for our bodies and has counseled us in theWord of Wisdom to do so.

As we continue in the coming holiday season, let us be thankful for the opportunity afforded usto share in our family relationships and gatherings. Even though we generally understand that thebirth of our Lord occurred in the Springtime, we need to be tolerant of the traditional celebrationof the Christmas Season by most of Christendom. His birthday is important no matter when itoccurred. His life is what we should emulate. His death guaranteed our salvation. Hisresurrection is our hope for eternity. In this and all things let us be thankful.

Again—“walk uprightly before me, considering the end of your salvation, doing all thingswith prayer and thanksgiving.” D&C 46:3c

For the First Presidency,FREDERICK N. LARSEN

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By Robert E. Ostrander

The third verse of Hymn No. 480 reads: “Letnone hear you idly saying there is nothing I cando, while the souls of men are dying and theMaster calls for you.” The reason that’s been afavorite of mine for a long time is because itcatches up for me the missionary spirit of theChurch that has always been present, but too often“witnessing” has been left to the missionary armof the Church. Brothers and Sisters, I submit toyou that is not supposed to be the case. In ourmost recent revelation, Section R-151: 4a, we weretold: “You my people wait for further directionfrom on high. This cannot be so until you haveresponded more fully to that which has been giventhus far. There is a marriage supper waiting. Thebridegroom is ready, but the bride is notprepared...” To find out why we were beingreprimanded like that, I went back to review the“R”-revelations, and I was amazed at what I found.

According to R-145: We need to“...strengthen [our] faith, we need to spread thelove of Christ to a sin sick world, we need tostudy to understand the fullness of [the]Gospel...” In R-146:4, 6b, we need “...to be moresteadfast in obedience to the Law ofTemporalities.” We are to “...Prepare the Bride.”Also in R-147:5a, c, 6b: “Every man called topriesthood office [is] to magnify his calling...,”the priesthood is to “Continue to seek theendowment....” We all need to prepare the bride.We need to continue to be “humble, and unifiedin your worship and service to me….” In R-148:5, we should stand against “the buffeting ofSatan”; we are to “prepare the Bride for themarriage;” we are to “sanctify” our lives.

Is all this beginning to sound familiar to you?Consider R-149:5. We need to implement “theWord of Wisdom.” In R-150:3c, 8: We are to “beprepared.” We are to come “out of Babylon.”“Greater sacrifice and discipline...will berequired” of us. We need to “arm ourselves withgreat faith, knowledge, humility and love….”Finally, for now we are told in R-151:5

“Harmony and charitymust prevail...” in theRemnant Church.“Further obedience tothe Celestial Law andthe Law ofConsecration is anecessary requirementfor the preparation of the Bride.” Those werejust the things that “jumped off the pages” for meas I looked through those latest “R”-revelations.

If we were to do an in-depth study of thescriptures, I’m sure we would find many morethings that we need to be doing that we’ve been“playing along with” over the course of the years.I use that word “playing” not as condemnation,but as a realistic assessment. That’s really whatwe have been doing! If we were serious about theGospel of Jesus Christ and really wanted to getbusy, we would be much further along the road tothe Kingdom than we are. There’s one relevantthing that is not listed in these revelations, andwhen we study the scriptures we don’t often findit listed, but it’s there by implication. That is tobear witness of His Son, Jesus Christ, to thosewho are seeking.

It is the responsibility of every member of thisChurch to bear that witness, not to leave it up to acertain group of called men to go out and do it all!In D&C 85:22 the Lord says, “Behold, I sent youout to testify and warn the people, and itbecometh every man who hath been warned towarn his neighbor; therefore they are leftwithout excuse and their sins are upon their ownheads.” How do we correct the popular idea that“witnessing is only for the missionary arm of theChurch,” when the Lord said “every man.” Wecan’t ignore that commandment. Because this isan essential part of the establishment of Zion, weneed to get serious about our witnessing to others.It’s just as important as the law of Consecration,or any of the formal commandments the Lord hasgiven us.

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When the Lord again restored His Church inApril 2000, He also gave us back the mission ofthat Church: to build His Kingdom. In order to dothat we must bear a renewed witness of the LordJesus Christ’s Kingdom to all those who areseeking, to those who want to know more aboutHim. In D&C 63:9 the Lord said, “I will that mysaints should be assembled upon the land ofZion; and that every man should takerighteousness in his hands, and faithfulnessupon his loins, and lift a warning voice unto theinhabitants of the earth; and declare both byword and by flight [to the designated place ofsafety], that desolation shall come upon thewicked.” Even in those judgments that are soon tocome upon this earth, we are to lift the warningvoice to testify and witness to people that JesusChrist is coming, and that with timely action theytoo can have an opportunity to escape thataccompanying judgment.

We’ve been given that missionbecause we have the fullness of thegospel of Jesus Christ, and theworld has not yet received thatfullness. We need to bear thatwitness. People cannot escape whatis coming, yet they cannotembrace this Gospel if they don’thear it. If we don’t talk it up tothem, they won’t hear it. The Lordhas called us to bear witness at alltimes—to all those who will listen—to go out andactively seek them, rather than waiting for them tocome to us. I’m not suggesting that we go out andcanvas our neighborhoods, or knock on doorswhile looking for an opportunity to witness.Opportunities often come in unexpected ways;when they come, we need to bear that witness.

Let me give you an example. In Alma 12:150-180 is related the story of Abish, who was aLamanite woman, a servant to King Lamoni’swife. Many years before this experience, she hadbeen converted to the Lord, but she kept herconversion secret. She was among those whowitnessed the conversion of King Lamoni and hiswife, and their servants. When all those peoplefell down and were prostrate upon the earth, andappeared to be dead, Abish knew it was really thepower of God. Abish had a decision to make: (1)

she could do absolutely nothing, (2) she could runand hope in all the confusion that nobody wouldremember she was there, or (3) she could takeaction. Put yourself in her place. She lived amonga group of people who were wicked, idolatrous,blood-thirsty, caring or knowing little about God.She had kept her conversion a secret, so theydidn’t know she now believed in God. She wouldbe taking great personal risk, just by talking aboutHim. What did she do? She decided to take action.She ran from house to house, telling everybodywhat had happened, telling them to come and seefor themselves. She firmly believed that if theycame and saw what had happened to the King,they would know it was by the power of God. Shefelt they, too, would be converted.

The multitude did gather, but things did not gothe way Abish had hoped. People began to argueabout what had really happened. They began tosay, “It’s all the King’s fault because he didn’t kill

that Nephite troublemaker when hefirst came.” Some began to say,

“That Nephite brought evilupon our King.” Others said,“It’s the King’s fault,because he killed some of his

servants when they were outwatering his flocks at thewaters of Cebus, and some

other Lamanites stole hiscattle.”

As all those things began to transpire, I wouldimagine Abish was heartbroken. She wanted thepeople to see the power of God that she knew wasthere, but that wasn’t what was happening.However, the Lord was merciful even during thisamazing experience. He raised all those peopleup, and the King and Queen then began to testifyabout what had happened. The Lord was able toopen up the work among the Lamanites becauseof the work of Ammon and the testimony ofAbish. This was possible because of theirwillingness to seize an opportunity when it waslaid before them to bear witness of the Lord JesusChrist.

You may agree that was a nice story, but feelit is no longer relevant because these thingshappened a long time ago; you may feel thatthings are different now! I’ll give you another

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example—this one happened only about threemonths ago. There is a Remnant couple who arevery strong believers in the Word of Wisdom.They conversed with a young man who washaving some health difficulties. In the course oftheir conversation they were able to share withhim the Word of Wisdom—that piqued hisinterest. As a result of that common ground andtheir continuing conversations over a period of afew weeks, they were able to share with him partsof the Restoration Gospel. He and his familybegan to come to services and investigate theRemnant Church. We don’t know where that’sgoing to go, but because of their willingness tobear witness of something like the Word ofWisdom, and how it fits into the Gospel of JesusChrist, a man and his family are now investigatingthe Church. The last chapter of this contact is yetto be written, but at least someone with noRestoration background is now investigating theChurch. That is typical of what can happen andwhat the Lord desires that we facilitate.Witnessing is the key tobringing people to know JesusChrist and His Gospel!

Witnessing doesn’t take agreat deal of training, and itdoesn’t mean you have to goto exotic faraway places. Allyou have to do is to prepare bybeing willing to tell otherswhat the Lord Jesus Christ hasdone in your life. Sometimesthe greatest distance you haveto go is “across the street,” andbelieve me that sometimesseems like a long way! Many years ago the Lordtried to communicate the importance ofwitnessing to the Church when He said,“Therefore, o ye that embark in the service ofGod, see that ye serve him with all your heart,might, mind, and strength, that ye may standblameless before God at the last day; therefore, ifyou have desires to serve God, you are called tothe work, for, behold, the field is white already toharvest, and lo, he that thrusteth in his sicklewith his might, the same layeth up in store thathe perish not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;and faith, hope, charity, and love, with an eye

single to the glory of God, qualifies him for thework.” (D&C 4:1b-e) When that desire is residentwithin your soul, you want to share the Gospelwith other people. That’s all the special trainingyou need to witness of the Lord Jesus and whatHe’s done in your life. Your sincere testimony isthe most powerful motivation that can ever bebrought into the life of that “someone” who onlyyou know best. It doesn’t necessarily have to be aspoken witness. It can be a living witness of howyou are effectively meeting some difficultchallenge of life. Your witness—in whateverform—is vital to someone who is looking. If youdon’t share it, they’ll never know of it!

When we’re witnessing to others, there arecertain things we need to do and be aware of. Oneof them is to avoid getting bogged down. That’s atough lesson to learn. But we need to rememberthat every man has his agency, and every man hasthe right to choose for himself what he wants todo and hear. We must respect that right, no matterhow much its use may disappoint us. We need to

develop what Bro. RalphDamon says is theMcDonald’s philosophy:“NEXT!” If the person we’retalking to does not want tohear what we have to say, wedon’t have more than a limitedtime to spend urging him torespond. Remember the storyof Alma and the Zoramites?You’ll find the completeaccount in Alma 16:78-249,describing how Alma and hiscompanions had witnessed

some strange worship practices among thesepeople, and they wanted to bring the word of Godto them. It caused these determined men a greatdeal of distress to see how these Zoramites wereperverting the Word of God. So they went topreach to them, but the people they first went towould not listen or pay any attention to what theyhad to say. After prayer and fasting, and a lot ofpreaching effort, Alma began to have a littlesuccess among the poor within their colony.(Alma 16:124-128) Alma saw that the people hewent to first would not respond, so he went to aneighboring people who would listen. He didn’t

Your sinceretestimony is the mostpowerful motivation

that can ever bebrought into the lifeof that “someone”who only you know

best.

waste his preaching time with people whodemonstrated no interest; he turned to those whowere willing to listen and seriously consider theGospel of Jesus Christ.

Brothers and Sisters, this Gospel is tooimportant to deposit in a “bank” which pays “nointerest.” When people around the world aredying because they are not hearing this message,we can’t get bogged down with those whodevelop no interest. If we spend too much time onone hesitant person, we’re not going to reach themany others who will listen intently and respondpromptly. This is a hard lesson for us to learn.Sometimes those we want to reach the most donot want to hear what we have to say at this time.Our time is short, and we must be about the workof the Kingdom, and that work requires that wewitness to other interested people about the realJesus Christ—the Gospel He left for us—andwhat it is that He has done in our lives. We cannotafford to spend our time on fruitless endeavors.

I’m not suggesting we give up entirely onthose people who won’t listen; perhaps anothertime will prove more opportune. We need tocontinue to pray for them and seek a lateropportunity to bear witness to them. But we alsoneed to recognize that we don’t have the 10, 15 or20 years that we’ve heard about in the past, for

bringing one person into the Church. We need tobe actively witnessing every day, at everyopportunity. The Quorum of Twelve feels that ourRemnant message is ready to burst all over theworld, but this won’t happen unless a core groupof people is willing to share its testimony withothers, and is then willing to take that further stepand ask them if they want to hear more detailabout the Lord Jesus Christ.

Spiritual preparation is essential; it is key tobearing witness of Jesus Christ, because throughthe preparation you make when you bear yourtestimony, the Spirit confirms its truthfulness tothe hearts of those who are listening. Without thatSpirit, your words are not effective. Witnessing isjust as important in the establishment of Zion asthe law of Consecration. It is how we will leavenour neighborhoods. If we’re not properlyprepared, our witness will be sporadic, and mostoften will be fruitless. In fact, lack of spiritualpreparation is probably the single biggest reasonfor the lack of success in witnessing that I canthink of. We no longer have the luxury of a casualapproach to witnessing. We have got to be aboutthe work of the Kingdom, and we’ve got to beabout it in earnest, and we’ve got to be about itnow. P

cross over into the Promised Land. Be carefulwhere you look, be careful in the choices youmake. There’s still time left, but we havesomething very important and critical to do. Noware the greatest days of the Restored body ofChrist, because we can fulfill that scripture whichtalks about His return to this sphere. We are calledto participate in that activity. Zion is a seriousbusiness. He who created us gave us His law;therefore He requires obedience to that law, andHe will reward or punish us according to ourobedience to that which He has given. For God touse His total power to protect us from that whichis evil around us, we have to have a totalrighteousness, and His power to protect us isrelated to that. Then we understand the

Cont’d from page 26

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overpowering need for stability, security, a sense

of secure purpose in our homes, our Church, ourfamilies, our personal lives. The call toWomanhood is caught up in those necessities.Your destiny is indicated in your very nature. Thehome of today is facing its greatest crisis, and theforces which seek to destroy society seek first todestroy the home. The success or failure of ourspiritual lives and Kingdom opportunities, and thesuccess of our establishing Zionic families is indirect relationship to the concepts, goals, andpractices that we hold inviolate in our families.You, my sisters, must never lose sight of thenatural God-given, spiritually-upheld influencethat you, the women of the Church, have as achallenge and a responsibility. The success orfailure of this body of women rests on yourcapacity to establish Kingdom-centered lives

wherever you reside. P

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Given at the Summer Preaching Series on August 19, 2007, by Apostle Gary L. Argotsinger

Romans 12:1,2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodiesa living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformedto this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what that good,and acceptable, and perfect will of God is.”

In the gospel of Jesus Christthere are so many analogies tofarming: if there are weeds inthose beans they’ll startchoking out those plants; theywill rob vital moisture fromthem and their yield won’t beas good. It’s the same way withyour personal life; we need tobe a type of people who is“Roundup ready” [Roundup is aneffective farm herbicide for controllingweeds] so we can get the sin out of our lives,because that’s what the weeds in our lives are—sin. We don’t always think it’s going to make adifference, but sin in your life similarly destroyswhat it is that God has in mind for you, and thissin doesn’t allow us to reach our full potential. Asa result, Zion languishes! The reason we don’thave Zion established among us today is lack ofobedience. You must first “root out” all thosethings which are causing you not to come into HisKingdom.

It’s difficult to know how to discern God’swill and sometimes we make mistakes trying todo so. In an old 1945 Saint’s Herald, I found atestimony regarding that author’s impression ofhow the Lord wants to work with us. There aredecisions in life which are tough to make, both inthe areas of religion and politics. Foremost in ourminds should be the importance of this country,remembering that the Kingdom within it, whichwe are striving to build, is the ultimate reality Godhas in mind for His people. That article talksabout the atom bomb, which had just burst uponour awareness. Was this the will of God, whensome of these frightening things happened?Because of modern technology we now knowwhat is going on in the world, and that we live inperilous times. If there is any reason to build the

Kingdom at this time, it is the urgency of the hourin which we live.

Some of us are old enough to rememberwhat this article reported: “Last week a

single American bomber circled over the cityof Hiroshima, scarcely heeded by the busy

people below who were accustomed to lethalvisitations by hundreds of such planes. Slowly thebomb bay doors were lowered and a small bomb,suspended by a parachute, began its descent. Theplane banked sharply and set a straight coursefor its home base. The bomb dropped rapidly to

within a few feet of the city. While it was still inmidair there was a terrific explosion. Buildings ofbrick and steel were leveled to the ground; manyof them were actually vaporized according toaccounts of some observers. Between 100,000 and200,000 people were dead or soon died in suchagonizing pain that they would beg others to endtheir suffering. Thus the atomic bomb made itsadvent. At last, the ferocity of man is matchedwith the destructive power so great that men mustlive in peace or be wiped off from the face of theearth.”

I can’t help but think that, whicheverPresident is in future charge of this country, yourresponsibility as Remnant Saints is to pray for thewelfare of this country, and his or herresponsibility to lead. We hope the decisions hemakes will help to forge Zion. At that time, thePresident lived in Independence, MO; it wasunbelievable how difficult that decision was forhim, yet he decided quickly. We were at war andmany decisions had to be made quickly. Do youthink God worked with him? In my own mind Ithink He did. I’m sure it saddened God to allowsuch a thing, but people have to understand that itis sin which caused these measures to take place.

The article went on: “We now have an energy[form] so potent that we can take a thimbleful of

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atomic energy and with it we can drive the QueenMary ocean liner to Europe and back.” That’sgood mileage! You can hardly believe or envisionthe degree of intelligence and light which comesto man when he seeks it. I’ve heard from a brotherthat we now have submarines which will neverhave to be refueled for as long as they’re inservice! This tremendous force, which Godcreated in the beginning, is bound up in a unit ofmatter so small that it cannot be seenwith the most powerful microscope.This small particle called theatom is calculated to be one-thirdto one-half- billionth of an inch indiameter! It’s small but alsocomplex, said to be shaped like afootball, with parts that whirl aroundcontinuously at great speed. The atom is ascomplete as the universe itself, and composed ofprotons and neutrons—a solid mass—at thecenter. They form a nucleus around whichelectrons revolve. The character of the atom isdetermined by the number of its orbitingelectrons. Uranium, the element which suppliedthe atoms which scientists succeeded in splitting,is a very dense, radioactive material which has 92electrons in its atomic shell, compared with onlyone electron in hydrogen, which is a gas. Theorbiting electrons determine whether a substanceis wood, metal, or whatever.

We all seem to be looking for the centuries-old search for the mysterious “ultimate reality.”Scientists apparently agree that the electron is notthe ultimate reality, but there is some greater forceback of it. There is a God who hears our prayers,and He answers. Through science in 1945, wenow understand even greater things regarding thenature of that ultimate reality. The monastictheory of philosophy holds that when the“ultimate reality” is discovered, it will reveal thatthe physical and the spiritual universe arecomposed of the same force.

If this is true, as I believe it is, it will prove theinspired statement that “all things are spiritual.”And the light which now shineth, which givethyou light, is through him who enlighteneth youreyes, which is the same light that quickenethyour understandings; which light proceedethforth from the very presence of God, to fill theimmensity of space. The light which is in allthings; which giveth life to all things; which isthe law by which all things are governed; even

the power of God who sitteth upon his throne,who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in themidst of all things. As also he is in the sun, andthe light of the sun,...as also he is in the moon,and is the light of the moon,...as also the light ofthe stars,...and the earth also, and the powerthereof, even the earth upon which you stand.”(D&C 85:3a,b; 2c-f)

It is by no means improbable that science willsomeday discover that the “ultimate reality” is theSpirit of God, or in other words, the intelligenceof the Creator. I want you to understand that wehave access to the intelligence of that Creator.The spiritual force which we call the HolySpirit, which emanates from the presence of

God, is also a form of thought. The Holy Spirit isthe all-pervasive mind of God in Christ. In John’sgospel, the scriptures tell us that He would sendanother Comforter, and that Holy Spirit is themind and intelligence of the Godhead. Does itbehoove us to get our lives in order to such adegree that we can receive of that? Too manytimes I’ve prayed and asked for the presence ofHis Spirit, and because of my lack of preparation,it’s just words—it’s not mighty prayer! We cannot become His sons and daughters unless wehave an indwelling of that Spirit and allow it tocome into our lives! It’s sin that we still have inour lives which is crowding it out. I don’t knowwhat your sins are, but I know we have things inour lives that separate us from communing withGod. As Remnant Saints, how much more couldwe want than to have that kind of understandingand knowledge—sufficient to come into Hispresence? It should change our prayer lifeconsiderably. Read D&C 85:3ab, where it says itis the very mind and intelligence of God whichfills the immensity of space.

I sat in on a Patriarchal Blessing recently, andI have a new appreciation of the diligentpreparation it takes, because the Patriarch wantsto commune with God, and he has to free himselffrom all prejudice and all bias. He has to cleansehimself, that he might be able to receive that mindand Holy Spirit, that will bear testimony to him.This enables him to tap that ultimate source of alltruth, light and wisdom. Theoretically, they [theLord and His Patriarchal minister, in this process]can become one.

Our theme is “Discerning the Will of God.” Ifwe truly want to discern this will, then let’sbecome like Him so we can commune with that

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Godhead. We sometimes don’t take the time tostrip ourselves of our predetermined ideas andprejudices before we literally pray to God. Whenwe have a division among us, how many of uspray for the other person? If we don’t, we fail totake everything to God in prayer. Any questionswhich confront you in life should be taken to God.He will not give to you unless you prepareyourself to receive that which you ask for.Theoretically, you can become one with God andChrist, and become the sons and daughters ofGod, so He can reveal Himself unto us. Are you“At One” with God and Christ?

The bottom line is that everyone here isinterested in the Kingdom of God on earth, andwants to see its establishment. Let us put aside ourprejudices and predeterminations, and cleanseourselves, and come before God in prayer, andcommunicate by preferring our brother toourselves. Remember the two greatcommandments? Do we as Remnant Saints loveeach other? If you don’t love your neighbor asyourself, you can’t love your God, and will notimmediately receive from Him. There shouldn’tbe anything that separates us from our neighbor.It’s the way we carry our disagreements with ourbrother that is so important. We’re a blessedpeople; we are fortunate to have a Prophet whocan receive the mind and will of God. We havethe choice then, whether or not to obey what wehave understood from His mind.

As we study the scriptures, we haveopportunity to be able to “possess” of the mind ofGod and Christ, to have Godly attitudes, and toenjoy the inner peace that comes from “at-oneness” with God, man and the forces of theUniverse. The Apostle Paul meant this when hesaid, “Let this mind be in you which was also inChrist Jesus.” That’s the crux of it—let this mindbe in you, and we of the Remnant Church realizethat it’s vitally important that we understand this.

Sometimes I think it would be nice to have theLiahona available to us to show us the way ahead.How did it operate? By faith! I recall when we

seven apostles were togetherdeliberating, when the GatheringPlace had just come up for sale, andwe were discussing how much it

would take to buy it—you knowthe story. I recall there weretears shed because of theanguish we felt as we sought

to discern the mind and will of God. He made usexercise our faith through prayer and reasoning,one with another. Later, there were no morepleasing words than those in the “R”-revelation,when He told us that this place known as TheGathering Place has been brought into our handsby the Heavenly Father. Discerning the will ofGod is never going to be easy, and we certainlywant to make the right decisions. We need to haveminds open to what God wants us to do. Has itborne fruit? Yes, it’s been unbelievable what this

mind of God has done.

Just as Alma talked to his son Helaman, wesimilarly need to counsel our sons and daughters,too. “The liahona, which is, being interpreted, acompass;...it was prepared to shew unto ourfathers the course which they should travel in thewilderness; and it did work for them according totheir faith in God.” (Alma 17:71-73) Therefore,as they observed these spindles pointing the way,they had many miracles wrought by the power ofGod, day by day. But if it comes by His power, itis also our responsibility to follow that direction.Are you exercising enough faith to cause thespindle to move, in order to give you the“direction which you should go?” Nevertheless,because those miracles were worked by thesesmall means, it did show unto them God’smarvelous works. A little later they becameslothful and forgot to exercise their faith anddiligence, and then those marvelous works, asguided by the spindles, ceased to function andthey did not progress in their journey. “Thereforethey tarried in the wilderness,...and [they] wereafflicted with hunger and thirst, because of theirtransgressions...ye should understand that thesethings are not without a shadow; for as ourfathers were slothful to give heed to thiscompass,...they did not prosper; even so it is withthings which are spiritual. For behold, it is aseasy to give heed to the word of Christ, whichwill point to you a straight course to eternal bliss,as it was for our father to give heed to thiscompass, which would point unto them to astraight course, to the promised land.” (Alma17:77-79) There is a type and shadow here for us.Our scriptures are our Liahona. Is there not a typein this? Just as surely as it did bring our fathers tothe promised land, so shall the words of Christ, ifwe follow their course, bring us to the Kingdom.

Reading from D&C 28:1, “Listen to the voice

of Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, the great I Am,

Cont’d on page 36

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by Jerry D. Wilhite - Presiding Elder, Magic Valley Branch, Idaho

After several trips to the Center Place forworkshops, conferences, the priesthoodconference and our recent trip to Kirtland, thereare many things which make me wonder aboutthe status of our dedication for the Church ingeneral. What I’m about to present may seem abit straight forward and too candid, but I make noapologies for expressing that which the Lordput in my heart. I expect “the truth, the wholetruth, and nothing but the truth.” Every membershould expect nothing less from those who holdany office with such sacred trust.

We thought it a thrill and a privilege to attendWednesday prayer service at CenterCongregation before the October Conference(after traveling 4200 miles), but weremystified as to the low attendance of only 13 orso; (that’s about 23% attendance). When Imentioned that to some, they would say,“That’s normal.” We learned that the majorityof the Church members live near the CenterPlace, within a day’s drive. We consider 400miles to be close, since we have to drive over1350 miles. Where is the commitment? We inthe outlying areas in the west are so few innumber, and cherish the time we get to sharewhile attending our Church and prayerservices, even though we have to drive 70 milesto attend. It is our staple and our refuge, withChrist always being “The Rock of Salvation.” Weknow that many from the extreme outlyingregions can’t attend all functions due toeconomics. But to live so close and not participateseems an obvious lack of dedication. It appearsmany are again satisfied with the status quo. Ibelieve this was the main contributing factor forthe failure of church developments in the 1830s.How can the outlying areas be strengthened ifthose in the center of Zion cannot support

programs that strengthenthe central Zioniccommunity?

I asked myself this question about thegathering and the Zionic community efforts goingon. Are we there yet? The Church is again setin order by the pattern laid out as God wants it;although all the Quorums are not yet filled, weare moving forward. There is expansion of thegathering place going on, reunions andmissionary outreach to foreign lands, but therestill seems to be something lacking. When there islow attendance, lack of association by membersand especially of priesthood, it makes me wonderif the commitment is 100%. When I hearexplanations why they didn’t attend, it remindsme of the parable of the friend at midnight (Luke11:6-9). Priesthood attendance was lower,(especially Aaronic) at the Conference, and thosewho were absent missed a great experience. I’mglad I attended and got a renewed sense ofcommitment and uplift of spirit. If we don’tdevelop and feel a unity of Zionic friendships andcommitment at the Center Place, how are weourselves going to be strengthened, and thenstrengthen others?

What is lacking? There seems to be roomfor improvement in development of what I callthe building of Zionic relationships throughfriendships, and people skills. The building ofthese friendships is what makes one feel hebelongs. “If ye are not one, ye are not mine.”(D& 38:6a) How many of us have gone out of ourway to develop new contacts, nourish them anddevelop them in spite of the miles that separate us,even though we might be a little different in ourideas and personalities? Personalities are forpolitics, not God’s business. Whether you drive,call or write, Zionic friendships must develop!

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Friendship develops by contact, and contacttouches the heart more than anything, which makesfor a feeling of belonging. Do we discern whensomeone is needing a friend? Would you go“twain” to strengthen a relationship? (Matt 5:43)Maybe it is just good practice to learn how to visit.Some lack visiting skills because they think smalltalk is a waste of time. Wouldn’t it be great if wewere like the woman who swept her house cleanlooking for the lost coin, and greatly rejoiced whenshe found it? (Luke 5:7-10) How great would beour joy if that one friend we made (whether in theChurch or not), was like that lost coin?

While we are all unique because of ourdifferent backgrounds, we are all necessary forthe accomplishment of building the Kingdom. Wecannot all be Apostles, or Elders or Priests, etc.(I Cor. 12) We are all part of the whole body. Thosewho have responsibilities to outlying areas shouldcall or contact Presiding Elders and membersoccasionally to see how things are going or whattheir needs are, or just to develop Zionicfriendships. If you are priesthood, (especially theAaronic), it is not all about preaching a sermon,it’s about leavening your community andnurturing everyone possible. Stay in contact withthose in isolated areas, far removed from the mainroot. Lack of contact can quickly drain thenourishment that is required to keep the branchalive. If you have a house plant, and don’t nourishit, it withers and dies. It is this nourishment fromthe root that outlying areas need. Even as archaic asit was 2000 years ago, Paul was constantly stayingin touch through those he sent, or by his letters.

I believe the development of people skills is oneof the most crucial talents for building the Kingdom.(Matt. 25:15-30) Some of us are direct, some aremore subtle and charismatic; what is yourpreference—or should you really be a respecter ofpersons? When we don’t accept everyone as he is,that makes us sin because it demonstrates we prefercertain ones above others. (James 2:9) It is hard for

many of us to develop people skills because of ourvaried backgrounds, but we should accept allpersons, regardless of personality differences. Weneed to show genuine concern by learning abouteach other through visiting, speaking the truth,uncovering their inner being, and developing trustso we can be lasting and true Zionic friends. Totruly learn to prefer one another falls in thiscategory: “we are all members, one of another.”(Eph. 4:25)

While I was taking a communications class incollege, we were required to read a book titled,“The First Four Minutes.” In that book it states allpeople, and especially employers, size up a personin the first four minutes they meet. Their decision isusually based mostly on physical appearance andbody language. Should we allow this in a Zionicsetting? It is easy to have relationships withsomeone you like, but remember the publicans didthe same thing in their day. (Matt. 5:47-49)Remember the example of the good Samaritan.Again, it is just good practice to learn how to visit. Iknow some who don’t visit because they don’tbelieve in small talk, but how can you really get toknow someone without it, as a minister andwitness for Christ?

Lastly, do we study and gain the knowledgethat is needed to be an effective witness? We musthave a driving passion to obtain the best giftsthrough study, fasting and prayer always. We aretold to seek out learning from the best books, wordsof wisdom, etc. and to study to show ourselvesapproved before all. (II Tim. 2:15 & D&C 85) Howcan we be approved in any congregation if wedemonstrate a lack of understanding of thescriptures and our own duties, whether member,Deacon, Teacher, Priest or Elder? The responsibilitylies upon all if Zion is to be a reality. As we do this,God’s grace will always sustain us.

Are we there yet? P

Thoughtful reflections seen on a church marquee:

We don’t change the message, the message changes us!

SeekatmothePriesa diaaspec

expec“call

designated Central Area of JaWestern Missouri—Presidentthis year’s Assembly to especitopic. Accordingly, 127converged on the WorshipGathering Place, for the weeke14, to seek the Lord’s furthertheir present understandingsfascinating topic. The Assembvarious applicable scriptures frosuch as these insights given in 1

“It will be profitable for mthe eldership [priesthood]for study, under the direchaving responsibility to tetimes and places as may bepreparation for the greaterspiritual power which hasand which awaits the timereceive it.” (D&C 142:4b)Friday evening was devo

and the sharing of fraternal gfacilitating re-acquaintancebrethren arriving from distantfollowed by “An Update onChurch.” This address was deliLarsen, still recovering from aoperation on his right knee, whon August 22. Brother Larsensurgical procedure had gone wegood facility with the replacecontinue to strengthen itsphysical therapy in his rehabilita

President Larsen commenteof topics, including the current

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ing to create ansphere wherein

attendingthood could sharelog on the variousts of a soon-ted but still futureto gather”—to theckson County, inLarsen called forally focus on thisPriesthood men

Center of thend of October 12-

augmentation ofon this always-

ly was guided bym our recent past,950:y servants ofto meet oftention of thoseach, at suchpracticable, inendowment ofbeen promisedwhen they can

ted to registrationreetings, aimed atwith the many

areas. This wasthe State of the

vered by Presidenttotal replacement

ich had been doneexplained that thell. He already hasd joint, and willmobility throughtion efforts.

d on a wide rangefinancial condition

of the Church, and the progress made to date inimplementing our program for Consecration ofSurplus, a long-talked-of further extension to fullyrespond to the Celestial Law. He also explainedthe situation and strategy currently beingemployed or envisioned for each of the majormission fields as well as priesthood manpowercurrently available for this work. He spoke of thein-process construction work at the ConferenceCenter, designed to create the first phases of anew Retreat Center Facility, which will be self-contained within the existing building.

The thrust of the President’s analysis was thatthe Church is currently experiencing an increasein the giving of tithes and offerings, is on- orunder-budget for expenditures in all major areasof service. We are encouraged by recent progressin new baptisms and processing ordinations forpriesthood leadership in both South India and inour two already-established congregations inBelize. He introduced Elder Marisetti Srinivas,who was in attendance from South India, and alsoElder Richard Smith who again attended fromCorozal, Belize. Work in Nigeria is progressingslowly, but further work in the Philippines hasbeen put on hold pending some clarification ofintentions by the local leadership.

With prayerful gratitude, President Larsennoted that the Saints in Belize had successfullyweathered two passing hurricanes this season,without experiencing serious damage to either ofour congregational structures or our Church van.The Lord’s blessing was clearly in evidence.However, some of the Saints in Central Americadid sustain wind and water damage to theirhomes. He commented on some of the currentproblems the Remnant Church faces, and whatstrategies we are employing to deal with them.The first evening was then concluded with aCommitment Service, conducted byPatriarch/Evangelist Dan Gough, during whichthe brethren shared several moving prayers andstatements of dedication to this work.

2007 Priesthood Assembly Focused on

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VARIOUS ASPECTS OF GATHERING

Saturday’s program was built around eightdifferent aspects of “Gathering” Thesepresentations are summarized here in the orderthey were given.

“I WILL GATHER MY PEOPLE-THE EARLIEST CALLING”Bishop Jerry Sherer talked about the earlyscriptural references to intended future gatheringsof God’s people. He talked of God’s instructionsto Enoch concerning a great Gathering in thelatter days, when righteousness shall finally becaused to sweep across the earth, as a truthful“flood” of never-before-heard information (Gen.7:70, I.V.). Bro. Sherer also discussed the greatGathering project of Moses, as he led a reluctantand frequently-doubting assembly of Israelitesback to the Promised Land, via a 40-year detourin the desert wilderness. This extended tour wasmade necessary by their continuingtransgressions. This mission of Moses wasforetold by Joseph. He had described Moses as hecounseled his repentant brothers in Egypt (Gen.50:34, I.V.), after the passing of their father,Jacob, about their eventual return and “Gathering”to the Promised Land. He cited other prophecies,including those of Zechariah (8:7-8), where theprophet pointed to conditions that were felt to beaimed at the Jerusalem of the Middle East, butwhich we today can recognize as more applicableto Latter Day Israel’s “last days.”

“COME UNTO ME—CHRIST’S CALL TO GATHER TOHIM”

In his first presentation, Patriarch/EvangelistCarl VunCannon, Jr. challenged the RemnantPriesthood to “raise your banners high.” Bro. Carlpointed out that God has called us (Mark 13:44) torepresent Him in all the things we do—thepreaching, teaching, etc., in this day when thegathering of all nations shall soon take place.After a suitable introduction, Bro. Carl remindedus that this “army” of prepared priesthood is theone the Lord is calling to preach the gospel to thiswicked and sinful generation. To get here today,we responded to the “call to gather” in order tobetter understand our duties. The Lord is usingthis assembly to further prepare His army, so theycan respond to His instructions to go forth fromhere and work in this world. We are being

instructed on how to gather and become “of oneheart and one mind.” This was easy to say but willbe more difficult to do (Matt. 23:37). Toaccomplish this goal, we are all going to have to“sacrifice some of our own thinking and ourpersonal agendas,...and put these on the‘sacrificial fire’ so we can all become ‘one’ withthe Lord Jesus.” We need to realize the power thatthis releases. Until those original disciples ofJesus had that unifying experience at the “day ofPentecost,” their hearts were not yet sufficientlymelted.

“I MUST GATHER TOGETHER MY PEOPLE—THECALLING IN THE RESTORATION”

President Robert Ostrander pointed out thatthe Gathering is thought by many to be so newthat it is “latter-day,” but in fact, this is a very oldconcept, as Bro. Sherer reminded us. AfterEnoch’s great demonstration city, later attemptshave not been successful, even though historicallymany disciples have given of their best efforts.When you search the D&C, you can separate theinstruction on the Gathering into five categories:What is its purpose? (D&C 3:15), Who will begathered? (D&C 28:1-2, 7; 98:4, 9), Where willthe gathering occur? (D&C 98:9), When will itoccur? (D&C 102:2), and How will it occur?(D&C 42:10; 57:6) This information is found inconsiderable detail within our Doctrine andCovenants, and it awaits our continuing andcareful study!

“THE GATHERING OF MY PEOPLE—THE GATHERING OFTHE REMNANT

President Frederick Larsen ended the morningwith his presentation. He took time to introducethose Branch Presiding Elders who were inattendance, and also to recite the Remnant ChurchMission Statement. He reminded us all thatmissionary outreach is our “job one.” But suitablepreparation must come first so that our efforts canmeet with as much success as human agencymakes possible. He traced the development of theChurch: from New York state to Kirtland, OH,and from there to Jackson County, MO, and thenbecause of local opposition, back to Far West,MO, and then because of our expulsion fromMissouri, back to Nauvoo, IL. Years later theSaints gathered on the border of Missouri at

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Lamoni, IA, and finally, about 1905, theReorganized Saints began to feel it was again safeto return to Independence. Bro. Larsen told ofdiscussions with his father and grandfather, and ofhis remembering their thoughts concerning how tobuild a Zionic Community in this modern, highlyindividualistic society. He explained that in just afew weeks, we would begin our informational andorganizational meetings for creating a CenterPlace of Zion. He spoke at length on the progressalready being achieved for a gathering of ourpeople, but he shared that a more formal call forGathering—possibly for refuge—will come. TheRemnant House is now functioning as atemporary means of transition for Saints who areingathering to the Center Place.

The Utah Mormon Saints still believe ingathering to Jackson County, but they frequentlyask him, “How will there be 13 million peoplesuccessfully gathered into this area?” That answeris not known at this time. God has informed usthat the Remnant Saints cannot receive furtherdirection concerning this process until there hasbeen a greater stewardship response by ourpeople.

“THE ROLE OF THE MISSIONARY IN THE GATHERING”After lunch, Apostle Ralph Damon asked for

all the missionaries to stand up, then emphasizedthat each one of us in this Assembly is a memberof the Missionary Corps of this Church. However,because of the awesome size and growth of thepopulation of the earth, we will never haveenough missionaries. He emphasized that we arenot a Country Club—we cannot behave in such away, because of economic standards in much ofthe rest of the world. But in some ways we are notyet fully realizing this (neither did Peter in Acts10:9-23, until the Lord corrected his viewpoint),that a more realistic future attitude must beachieved. We must begin doing better in ourwillingness to learn to speak a foreign language,so we can witness more effectively, and we mustimprove our willingness to dialog with and acceptthose who are from other cultures.

He pointed out that this brings up adisquieting thought, but one which RemnantSaints must contemplate: if our American nationdoes not start making better use (stewardship) ofits resources and its abundant opportunities, the

Lord—in His disapproval—may allow others(worthy immigrants) to take its functioning awayfrom us by peaceful means. In a sense, this wasprecisely what happened to the Jews of Jesus’day, as illustrated by Peter’s experience with theinquiring Gentiles. Within 250 years, theemerging Christian Church, which had originallybeen reluctant to speak with Gentiles, had becomea transformed Church made up entirely ofGentiles. The Jews had originally been offered theopportunity to join the Church, but after 135 A.D.most had largely refused. Possibly reflectingDivine displeasure, they had been dispersed bythe Romans to every other nation of the world!

“THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY IN THE GATHERING”Bishop Kevin Romer related that the love of

Jesus Christ is the only thing that can givemeaning to this life. When you give that love toanother, you are in the bosom of the Father. Thesadness that you feel at times in life when youhave been rejected by someone is also JesusChrist working within you. When we experiencethat rejection ourselves, we are experiencingGod’s pain, when He cannot reach out to usbecause we will not respond. As men of His holyPriesthood, do we have the spiritual maturity torecognize Jesus in our own pain when we areinjured and temporarily broken-hearted? Do wehear His voice at those times saying, “Doesanyone love me?” That desire to be lovedunconditionally comes from God! It is the onlyway we can experience how important that loveis. The first great commandment is to love ourGod with all our heart, mind and strength. Sin isthe antithesis of this love. The pain of rejection isgreater than the pain of an injury. The worst thingyou can do is to ignore someone else’s pain.

Babylon teaches us that we should learn to betotally self-sufficient—to not need anyone else. Itteaches us that our independence—our privacy—is our greatest goal and objective. It teaches usthat others are our competition, and they are to befeared and overcome—that we “succeed” bybeing more successful than our competitor.Somehow, in our current world, ouracknowledged value is viewed as relative to howwe wind up in that “pecking order” of society.

The irony for a Remnant Saint is that we canonly find true joy in Jesus Christ—in that lovewhich comes from the Father—and which finds

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expression in our love for each other. A lifewithout love is empty and lonely; that lonelinesswill “eat away” at our souls and is the greatest ofall pain. Ask a widow or a widower who has lost apartner, and now has to deal with that great voidin his/her life—how much pain they suffer. I amtouched when I study the Gospel and its goodnews to see how Jesus actually lived, and how heacted—how he entered into a relationship witheach inquiring person. “Will you come with me?Come and follow me; I find values within yourlife which I love. Will you enter into communionwith me?” He called each one into a personal,intimate relationship with Him, and as He invitedpeople to follow Him, He was also telling themthat they must soon make a choice. If they chooseone thing, it means refusing another. If theychoose to follow Jesus, they receive the gift oflove and communion, but at the same time theymust be prepared to say “no” to the ways of theworld, and accept the loss of what it offered.

What does all this have to do with the role ofCommunity? It has a very profound influence onit. This Jesus calls His friends into communitywith others who have been chosen for the samepath. But this is when the problems are likely tobegin. From the scriptural account, we see thedisciples squabbling among themselves,wondering who is the greatest, who is to be themost important among them? Community is awonderful life-giving place; it is a place of refuge,but as it relates to new social relationships, it canalso be a place of pain because it is the ultimateearthly testing place for truth and growth. Itsconstraints bring out the residual of our pride, ourfears and our brokenness. In its early experience,community can at first become a place of conflictinside each one of us. First of all there is theconflict between the values of the world and thevalues of Jesus Christ in our emergingcommunity—between independence andtogetherness. For some, it will be painful to giveup one’s independence and come intotogetherness, to begin making decisions together,and not just all alone. This is particularly true ofthose earlier decisions made from a worldlybackground, where we have previously been toldto be independent and to cultivate the feeling thatwe shouldn’t need anyone else.

The next source of conflict in community willbe encountered when we give people their “space”

and let them grow, rather than competing withthem and exercising dominance. Our presentworld is typically one of competition. We’ve beentaught to win; it will be surprisingly hard to standback and let others grow and exercise their gifts attheir own pace. Another source of communityconflict and growth is in the caring for othersversus the caring for ourselves and our ownselfish desires. This will often mean individualsacrifice—the only true expression of love in ourlives. That which costs us nothing is not a giftworthy of presentation to the Master!

Community will be much like a marriage—where we sacrifice our egos to become one, trulybelonging to each other in covenant. How manyof our marriages would have lasted for the firstyear if we had been only committed to the goodtimes? The same thing is true as we covenant witheach other in community. At the heart ofcommunity is forgiveness, as we learn to care forone another. To grow in love means we mustbecome men and women of forgiveness andreconciliation, aware that there is bound to be painat times when we live in close proximity. As weenter community, we can live with this pain onlyif we believe with a certainty that God has calledus into this relationship. Community living issocial communion; it is bonding, it is sharing.

From this new community we will look backon our previous lives of partial brokenness, andwill realize that He calls us to go out and sharewhat we have discovered with the world. It’s notprimarily for us; it’s about the poor andbrokenhearted. The great commission to go outinto the world and bring the good news to othersimplores us not to keep it to ourselves. Ourultimate assignments are to be “liberators of thecaptives,” to heal those broken hearts and to bringlife and hope to others. I often think of the role ofa “common judge” in Zion as we ponder thisfunction in community. In worldly terms we thinkof a judge as deciding who’s right and who’swrong in a conflict. After hearing the evidence,the judge picks the “winner” and the “loser.” I’mnot sure that’s what it really means to be acommon judge in Zion, because Zion’s residentwill judge on a different basis using a differentstandard. This standard involves repentance; it’salso a standard of forgiveness. How many timesdo we need to forgive those who have harmed us?Is it not seven times seventy? That expanded

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concept is central, and at the heart of the Gospeland community.

“THE PROCESS OF GATHERING”Bishop Gregory Turner started his

presentation by asking, “Is there any doubt thatthis is a core belief in our theology?” Gathering isintimately connected with the establishment ofZion, and that must come about before the secondcoming of our Lord Jesus. Finally, it is integral tothe salvation of mankind in God’s Plan for him.The purpose of the Gathering is to gather togetherour strength; the love and support we can giveeach other will enable us to find the way to comeout of Babylon.

The process of the Gathering—how will itoccur? “Firstly the rich and the learned, the wiseand the noble, and after that cometh my day ofpower, and then shall the poor and lame and theblind and deaf come in to the marriage supper ofthe lamb.” The Gathering must be orderly, it mustbe planned; it cannot be haphazard. I think thatprocess has begun, but it has not been completed.We have a window of opportunity in our day tobegin this process that was not completed in 1833and ‘34. Increasingly my testimony is that this isour immediate task. We cannot delay.

Let’s talk about some specifics in the process.We must ascertain the preparedness andorderliness of the Gathering, that we might fulfillthat which the scriptures ask us to do.Consecration is required, and in Section R-150:5cthe Lord reiterates that to us. There is stillconfusion about what consecration is. It is notsimply surplus money; it is the dedication andconsecration of our entire lives. The geographicalgathering that we have already undertaken mustmove further to include a spiritual gathering.

Furthermore, Zion is not a welfare state. Therecan be no idlers among Zion’s inhabitants.Equality is achieved by both labor andcontribution. The Storehouse is for the use ofconsecrated Saints only; it does not have theresources to go beyond that. That’s true ofmonetary things and resources as well as of timeand talents. We all have to make our donation intothis Storehouse of resources, that there may bethat “supper, well prepared” for those who will becoming.

The development of Zion will start with acommunity or communities, which will each

touch the areas outside of them. We artificiallymake the division between the “community”aspect and the “leavening” aspect, and should notdo so. These communities will grow in bothspiritual and economic parameters asstewardships. These will require purchased land,and I look forward very soon to the time when wecan do that. The requirements for achievingcommunity and local leavening are the same. Ienvision those who will show a great interest inthe growing community in this Center Place, butneed further instruction and great practice in itsdemonstration of righteousness. Over any lengthof time, I do not see how we can become fullyindependent of the world in satisfying our ownneeds and resources. I do know the Lord willprovide for us if we do our part. We will begathered into one place, for that’s the Lord’spurpose. Together we can suitably prepare andlook forward to the time of His coming. I alsobelieve that we’ll have a fairly good idea as to thetiming when that second coming is approaching.Matthew 24:42 says, “Likewise, mine elect, whenthey shall see all these things, they shall knowthat he is near, even at the doors.” A testimonycomes to mind from an old brother, as he referredto the collapse of our economy—something thathe felt would make the depression of 1929 lookmild in comparison. After that, Zion would bebuilt very quickly. May we rise to that occasion!

“SPIRITUAL PREPARATION AND REQUIREMENTS FORGATHERING”

Carl VunCannon, Jr. quoted scripture as hemade the concluding presentation of the day.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, andrenew a right spirit within me...Restore unto methe joy of thy salvation and uphold me with thyfree spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thyways, and sinners shall be converted unto thee.”(Psalms 51:10,12-13) Spiritual preparationhappens when we recognize the need to have aclean heart; the requirements for the Gathering arethe same as for proper spiritual preparation. AsGod’s Spirit rests upon us, this will allow us tooffer ministry to those enmeshed in sin. Thosewho will hear us will know that what we arepreaching is truth. Through that Spirit they willfeel the need to listen and become part of what weare preaching. God has asked the gathered Zionicresident to do what the universe does: it follows

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its Creator obediently in all those rules He hasgiven.

How many of us have experienced what theLord calls “mighty prayer?” That can solve ourdifficulties: our decisions, our planning, ourunderstanding of community, our concern for howto evangelize the world, and also how to deal withone another.

Mighty prayer will bring those answers andremove any of those obstacles that are going to beroadblocks for this “army” sitting here in thisroom. As we fast and pray, our minds are focusedon God and His goodness to us. In this attitude weare prepared to receive understanding and wisdomfrom Him. Brethren, there is a need for thepriesthood of His Church to move with theexpectation of great success in our endeavors forthe Lord. I hope we will never move into what wedecide to do for the Lord with failure as ourexpectation. The required faith, ability, necessarytalents and gifts are currently contained within thewalls of this room! But the enemy is also “at thedoor,” searching for any remaining areas ofweakness.

Do you love your neighbor as you loveyourself? We need to look at that in relationshipto the world in which we are living. We must bewilling to learn how to forgive. When you get onyour knees and ask the Lord to forgive you, whatdo you expect? We expect to be forgiven—or is itjust a ritual we’ve gotten into? Brethren, we needto climb to the very top of our Mt. Sinai and thereseek the face of the Lord, that our leadershipmight carry with it the power and authority ofAlmighty God. Nothing less will get the job done.Our spiritual preparation must be at the “alert”level, with all of our resources ready to do thatwhich God has asked us to do.

As that happens, we and our people will bothbe prepared to meet all the requirements ofentering Zion. This is not an impossible task! TheOne Who came and shared His ministry—and iswith us even this day—He is the person Who sitsin this room unseen, as our Commander-in-Chief.Do you want anything better than that? May weleave this place with a clean heart and a renewedmind, focused on fulfilling our calling. P

This I Believeby Frederick J. Moore

This I believe:

There is an eternal plainThat carnal man cannot obtain.

Strive as he would with human careHe cannot ascend that mountain there.

Nor can we by time or age there standUpon that eternal strand, God will it so!

Only as the Spirit strives and yearnsIs that upward path discerned

Through prayer’s obedience is it learned.

That holy upward wayGained by travail day by day

By those who persevere and prayNo backward glance, nor tears for things behind, below

With eyes fixed upward, forward toward the goal.

And when at last by Spirit’s strength they standOn Zion’s holy strand amid that holy band

Then they may look back along the path they stroveAnd bed; where anguished prayers were said.

Then they shall know that God willed it so.

This I Believe!

Elder Frederick James Moore died November 14, 2007 having attained the age of 93. We will all misshis optimism, talents, and his poems, such as this one. (For a summary of his life, see The HasteningTimes, Issue 32, page 35.)

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Questions And Discussion Were The Hallmark Of Six Kingdom Living Seminars.

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Two pages of scenes fromthe October PriesthoodAssembly. From upper

left clockwise:1. Apostle Ralph Damon

consults withPresident Larsen.

2. President Ostranderleads while PatriarchJohn Allen kneels andprays.

3. President Larsenembraces ElderMarisetti Srinivas.

4. President Larsen asksfor a show of hands.

5. Elder Francis Custerssits with ApostleKillpack.

6. Three young men greetand pose with ElderSrinivas.

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1. Apostle Steve Churchasks for a prayer duringwhich we all knelt.

2. President Larsen leadsthe Priesthood in prayer.

3. In the hall during breakApostle Damon andElder Srinivas greet theSaints.

4. Recently gathered ElderJoe Bryant prays.

5. President Ostranderspeaks on the topic “IMust Gather TogetherMy People.”

6. Apostle Ralph Damonspeaks on “The Role ofthe Missionary in theGathering.”

7. The minister is alwaysdependent on theinspiration of His Lord.

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The Women’s Retreat featured a weekend of varied activitiesincluding a moving pageant entitled “You Are Chosen”!

2007Women’s

Retreat

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Reflections on the 2007 Women’s Retreat

The women of the Remnant Church metduring the weekend of Oct. 12-14, 2007 to discussthe topic “You Are Chosen.” Friday evening wegathered and renewed friendships with those frompast retreats. Debbie Mallory led us in an indoorcampfire of song and testimony, followed bydelicious snacks. Saturday’s theme of “You AreChosen for Such a Time as This” was emphasizedin numerous ways. The morning Worship Servicewas given by the three wives of the FirstPresidency who set the tone for the twenty-fivewomen who shared their personal testimoniesthroughout the day. This was a departure from theCouncil’s previous planning for classes, whosepresenters had to relinquish their plans because ofunforeseen circumstances. In dealing with thisdilemma, Sue Petentler said that she wasawakened early one morning with the realizationthat many Remnant sisters had valuabletestimonies to share of their varied experiences.Women often are able to share in a way that onlythey can, and those asked to participate in thisway gave us insight into how the Lord really haschosen each one individually, with their specialgifts and abilities. The Women’s Council, underthe able direction of Marylyn Gosling, deserveshigh praise for working through the problemswhich presented themselves, and the myriad ofdetails that had to be handled.

The morning testimonies started by ourhearing about the time John the Beloved spentwith the Saints in Creston, Iowa. The afternoontestimonies ended with how the hearts of a youngcouple were influenced by the Lord to allow theirchild to be born, despite medical advice to thecontrary, which child eventually was led to theRemnant Church to serve in many meaningfulways. We are seldom afforded the time to hear insuch depth the uplifting testimony of how theLord has chosen each and every one for a specialpurpose.

A drama written by Mary Lou Bartrow waspresented to both the Priesthood Assembly andWomen’s Retreat attendees, depicting the lives of

nine women from the scriptures. The costumes ofeach presenter, and the scenery specially preparedby Lois Romer, helped us feel as though weactually were in those ancient times, hearing thecharacters speak.

The Sunday morning worship had 182 inattendance. A prayer meeting withPatriarch/Evangelists William McCurry and PetePetentler in charge was solemnly worshipful. Bro.Petentler gave the following thoughts in the spiritof wisdom for counsel, encouragement andassurance to those gathered: The Lord found theirworship acceptable and pleasing. Theirtestimonies would spread like a pebble droppedinto the water, and their testimonies of God’s lovewould be a blessing to many others. Let nothingseparate you from each other and your Churchfamily. The sacrifice of the many who worked tomake the Retreat successful was also pleasing tothe Lord. God’s promises are sure, and if you arefaithful to your baptismal covenant and keep Hiscommandments, you will be assured of the placeHe is preparing for each of you in the Kingdom ofGod. The image of Jesus shone in yourcountenances as you prayed and testified.

The morning closed with a message byPatriarch/Evangelist Roger Gault on, “You AreChosen If You Choose to be Obedient.” Hestressed that the choices we make today each havea consequence, and that our dedication andsacrificial commitment will prepare us for the taskwhich lies ahead in the near future. (See followingsummary of his text.) He closed with D&C102:10c,d: “There has been a day of calling, butthe time has come for a day of choosing; and letthose be chosen that are worthy; and it shall bemanifest unto my servant, by the voice of theSpirit, those that are chosen, and they shall besanctified; and inasmuch as they follow thecounsel which they receive, they shall havepower after many days to accomplish all thingspertaining to Zion.” P

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Message given at the Women’s Retreat, October 14, 2007, by Roger Gault

Sisters, I want you to know that I am happy tobe here today. It is an awesome experience tostand before a body of the ladies of the Church. Ihave anticipated this with joy in my heart, andwith trembling in my soul, because I’m concernedabout the ministry that needs to be offered thishour. Your testimonies and prayers have beenuplifting and enlightening to my soul, and I praythat which takes place now will be of the samenature.

In the beginning, Adam was given a perfectearth; there were no wars, sorrows, illnesses, orthorns—he had a perfect earth in which he and hisbeloved wife shared in the joy, beauty andgrandeur of God’s perfect creation. Theyperformed their tasks with loving care for thatwhich the Lord had entrusted to them, and toexperience the presence of God in their midst. Butthe time came that, through disobedience, all ofthat perfectness around them and in their ownlives disappeared, and they became subject to thedisorder of sin. It is now our challenge, in ourhomes and family lives, and our relationships withone another, to eradicate the sin of disobedience,causing that which was in the beginning to be re-established.

The theme given to us today is, “You AreChosen IF You Choose to be Obedient.” We seekthe Lord’s mind and will that will be a guide forus in our daily life. We become more aware of theimplications of our attitude, motivation and moralstability. Is our attitude one of belief in theimpossibilities, or the possibilities? Are wemotivated by our wants and desires, or by thecovenants and commandments of our Lord? Is ourmorality based on complete righteousness, or dowe still cling to some “politically correct”concepts?

A fact of life is we will find what we look for.All truth is easy to understand once we discover

it; the point is discovering the truth we want tolive by. Beware of the half-truth, because we mayhave gotten hold of the wrong half. It is recordedin D&C 28:9a, “Wherefore verily I say unto you,that all things unto me are spiritual, and not atany time have I given unto you a law which istemporal.” That is a very profound statement. Tryto grasp the impact of what the Lord has said tous. If we treat it as a spiritual thing it takes ustoward Him; if we treat it as an earthly temporalthing, it takes us away from Him. We talk aboutEnoch’s city returning so we can have thatmarvelous experience of living with thoserighteous people and being taught by them. Webelieve that we have the power and majesty of theHoly Spirit to dwell in our minds and souls. Inorder that we can inherit those heavenly things weso desire, we need to show by our obedience thatwe are worthy of receiving them. It is a moralresponsibility that rests upon us as we come toworship our God, to recognize that our responseto Him is the most important thing. In the wordsof John Kennedy, ask not what the Lord can dofor you, but ask what you can do for Him. That isthe essence of Kingdom-building and of growingspiritually. Martin Luther King Jr. is quoted assaying, “We must ever conduct our struggle onthe high plane of dignity and discipline.”

At most shopping mall entrances is a littlemap showing the locations of the different storesand businesses. In one little spot is a red dot thatsays, “You are here.” Once you know where youare, it is easy to determine the best way to whereyou want to go! But knowing where you are is notvery helpful if you don’t know where you want togo—what the focus of our future is. The ultimatepurpose of God requires ultimate obedience toHim. The success of our tomorrow is directly inproportion to the success of today. That which wecan accomplish tomorrow is predicated upon what

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we achieve today. The success of tomorrow is indirect proportion to the depth of our spiritual,physical, mental and moral obedience today. Oursoul’s deep desire is what makes us the sum totalof that which we long for in our life, mind, homeand family. As a body of Remnant Saints, are ourred dots in the same place or scattered all over themap? What is our desire as an individual and thenas a corporate body? Is our desire causing us tofeel the same things, love each other alike, andhave charity, compassion, understanding and adeepening desire to know the will of God in ourlives?

John F. Kennedy is quoted: “United there islittle we cannot do; divided there is little we cando. We dare not meet a challenge split asunder.”Those things that keep us from the desires thatGod has for us, start with the desire for somethingthat we should not have, and probably don’t evenneed. Our need is to have the power of the HolySpirit that is promised to those who will beobedient to Him, to overcome our earthly,worldly, sensual impulses. We have a natural-man-mentality. Mosiah states: “For the naturalman is an enemy to God, and has been, from thefall of Adam, and will be for ever and ever. But ifhe yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit andputteth off the natural man and becometh a saintthrough the atonement of Christ, the Lord, andbecometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble,patient, full of love, willing to submit to allthings which the Lord seeth fit to inflict uponhim, even as a child doth submit to his father,”then he can lead us into the paths of hisrighteousness.

The greatest work that confrontsus is the establishment of suchconditions of daily living that theLord can approve. Would He be ableto say, “Everything that you havedone today is good?” That’s achallenge we face; it’s difficult, it’stough, it’s hard! But it is a struggle forwhich He has promised to give us thestrength, power and ability to do it, ifwe place ourselves in His trust and Hisconfidence. We must live by the principles of Hislaw.

Indira Ghandi said this: “An ancient sanskritsaying—Woman is the home, and the home is the

basis of society. If the home is inadequate, thenwe can have no harmony. Without harmony wehave no direction.” The process of Kingdombuilding requires that we discard the natural-man-mentality, and take upon us the spiritual-man-mentality. Then, nothing will be able to stop usfrom building God’s Kingdom. Each of us hasthat responsibility, and the promise that God willassist. That is our calling, responsibility andstewardship—to hearken to the voice of the LordJesus through the scriptures, through the HolySpirit, through the promptings we receive in ourminds, and through our studies. When we areobedient, a chain of events will happen, and theywill all come together leading to theaccomplishment of God’s way. Every single actof obedience is an investment in the future. Deedsof obedience have the power to position us forgreater success in the establishment of God’sKingdom.

The fruits of obedience are cumulative, andeither obedience or disobedience will eventuallyovertake our lives. In Galatians 6:7 it is said, “Benot deceived; God is not mocked, for whatsoevera man soweth, that shall he also reap.” We haveto be aware of the consequences of every choicewe make. Blind, stubborn pride often leads us intoplaces or choices we ought not to make, and whenwe act as if there are no consequences, we willfail every time! There is a consequence for everychoice we make in our lives. What makes us soreluctant to be totally obedient? The promise hasbeen given that no power shall stay the hand ofGod in the accomplishment of His purposes. Asthe Church shall move forward in its great work,

the fulfillment of prophecy may cause theSaints to tremble at the exhibition ofdivine power, yet they shall rejoicein the protection of His grace.

The image of God is written intothe very structure of your being. You

are so fashioned that properly usingthe gift of agency, you would moveonly toward your Heavenly Father,giving life meaning, purpose anddirection as a wife, mother, daughter—

above all as a woman—that is the image of Godcreated within you. A foremost strategy of theenemy of this world is to deceive the Church intothinking we are adequately equipped spirituallyfor the coming battle. There is another level of

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spirituality needed to meet the requirements of ourday. We have not yet reached that level ofspiritual understanding which God has appointedthis body of people to do. You ladies are called byGod as a part of that body that can bring to passHis righteousness to such a degree that He canwalk and dwell with the members in His city,returned from the heavenly places, which wastaken with Enoch.

We look to that day, and you ladies are anintegral part of that whole structure. There isanother level of preparation that is still required—a complete stripping away of the old, and puttingon of the new, and a deeper spiritual life than wecan now perceive, to achieve the Kingdom levelto which we look forward. Accountability is theissue.

In Philippians 3:13-14 it says, “I count notmyself to have apprehended; but this one thing Ido, forgetting those things which are behind,… Ipress toward the mark for the prize of the highcalling of God in Christ Jesus.” This is theessence of accountability. If we are on the pathtoward the Kingdom, it means that even in thevicissitudes of life, we can have clarity andunderstanding, which comes to those who presentthemselves before the throne of God, humblysubmissive, seeking the power and majesty of thespirit. Thomas Jefferson said, “I like the dream ofthe future better than the history of the past.” Wedream of our God coming and dwelling with us,and a harmony achieved among His people thathas never existed. We dream of no wars on theearth, of our government people speaking kindlyto one another. We dream of beauty and joy,realizing that our past is gone, and it is our futurethat is before us.

Past achievements, no matter how wonderfulthey have been, are meant to serve as stepping-stones to a greater future. The growing process ofdivine judgment is upon us; divine judgment is adaily process. There is a consequence for everychoice we make. D&C 34:6a,c “Keep all thecommandments and covenants by which ye arebound, and I will cause the heavens to shake foryour good, and Satan shall tremble, and Zionshall rejoice upon the hills and flourish…. Liftup your hearts and be glad; your redemptiondraweth nigh.” And as a consequence of thatdaily judgment, the following assessment is made

on our lives, from D&C 140:5c “The work ofpreparation and the perfection of my Saints goesforward slowly, and Zionic conditions are nofurther away nor any closer than the spiritualcondition of my people justifies.” What are wewilling to do that we are not doing? What are wewilling to give up that holds us back fromcomplete obedience? Pride makes us think only ofourselves; covetousness leads us to expend ourenergies and monies on whatever our heartdesires. Sensuality focuses on what we eat,regardless of health benefits. Whatever it is thatwe esteem or cherish, fear or serve, or delight inor depend upon, that is what we worship and ineffect make our god. However, by virtue of ourbaptism we consent to do the Lord’s desire.

It was sometimes necessary in my schoolbusiness to make a home visit. The veryatmosphere and condition of the home, therelationships of various family members, howthey spoke to or looked at each other, how theyresponded to each other, the reading material thatwas lying around on the coffee table, the activitiesthey talked about, the way they dressed, theirhygiene, the home—all these things put togethergave a very clear picture of perhaps why thatparticular problem was evident in the student’slife. It is time for us to recognize the impact uponus today of those words found in D&C 140:5c,“Zion is no further away than the spiritualcondition of my people justifies.” Wherever weare today is a product of what we have sown inthe past. If we plant new seeds, we’re going toreap a new crop. This is the simple reality of life!If we are trying to duplicate our past, then wehave lost our vision for the future, because we’recalled to a higher spiritual realm than we haveever lived in before. That’s the challenge of ourday. The focus of evil is moving so rapidly andwith such great power that the only thing that canstop it is our obedience. Then we can say to theworld, “Come and see.” We’re called to keepqualifying for a higher level of spirituality, unity,oneness, love and harmony. The only thing thatcan stop us is our choices, which will take useither into the freedom of the Kingdom of God, orinto the bondage of Satan. Where will my choice

take me?

We are out of the wilderness, but we’re

standing at the shores of that river, waiting to

Cont’d on page 7

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The Remnant Saints of the Central Areajoined with those adventurous, dispersed cyber-explorers from several of our scattered Branches,as well as isolated Saints, to carry on a six-seriesdialog about expectations and problemsanticipated with Kingdom living. These Seminarswere held at the Gathering Place Worship Centeron Sunday afternoons from September 2 throughOctober 7, 2007.

The purpose of these Seminars was to give ourmembers detailed information on the comingKingdom, which is to be anchored by ascripturally-commanded “community” ofrighteous, unified and committed Saints, andprayerfully supported by those others who feelthey may be better suited to “leaven” their presentneighborhoods. A variety of forensic settings wereused for the group dialogs. The crowd size at theGathering Place ranged from 150-250, with about50 estimated to have participated in the telephone-line audio hookups, and a smaller number viewingthe graphics displayed on the web-cast.

In some sessions, the participants werecombined in one large discussion-group usingroving portable microphones, while in others theparticipants were broken into age-segregatedBreakout Sessions, to facilitate more intimate,face-to-face discussions. Whatever the group-size,a Discussion-Leader and a Scribe, equipped witha tripod-easel, were provided. Comments receivedby telephone were also repeated to the combinedgroup. At the end of the smaller discussions, allparticipants were reassembled and each scribereported a summary of questions and commentswhich had been received.

These Seminars were largely organized by theOrder of Bishops, but were fully supported by theGeneral Officers. All were well attended(including those who were cyber-connected.)Dialog was vigorous and thoughtful. All thoseattending seemed to appreciate that these seldom-before-discussed plans are necessarily beingmatched to the somberness and urgency of ourtimes. As often happens with such far-reaching

topics, the time allotted expired before all theparticipants’ questions were fully raised oranswered. Needless to say, the times immediatelyahead of us, in keeping with the challenges of thedaily news, promise to be demanding as well asfaith-extending. Yet Latter Day Saints have beenprophetically-warned of their forthcomingdevelopments for over 150 years! As we prayed,deliberated and planned during those six sessions,the world continued to drift steadily closer tounrestrained hostility, anarchy and financialinsolvency.

The first two sessions dealt with the challengeof “Stepping Into the Light.” The third dealt withthe “Celestial Law of Relationships,” while thefourth covered a discussion of the “CelestialFinancial Law” and “Kingdom Economics.”Sessions five and six dealt with “Aspects ofGathering” and “Community Living.” Extensivediscussions developed over the expected “DailyLife in the Community” and “Covenants andExpectations for Residents.”

This series of Seminars served to expandhorizons and draw out the responses of those whoregularly attended. Just as Celestial livingpromises the most rewarding and fulfilling eternalenvironment, it also requires the greatestdeveloped maturity and level of commitment fromthose who make the effort to attain it. Our 2007experience confirms that these are topics whichwe shall need to revisit and further discuss manytimes in the future. P

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“I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved...Thouwilt show me the path of life; in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasuresforevermore.” (Psalm 16: 8, 11)

What a challenge we have to come out ofBabylon. It is full of both good and bad. The Lordcreated all things good and placed man here thatwe might enjoy the abundant life. Because Hegave man his agency, we have all made some badchoices and have at times lost our way, deviatingfrom the straight and narrow path. Down throughthe ages, He has given us direction through Hisprophets. God loves us so much that He allowedHis Son to come and show us the way, and to paythe terrible price for our sins through Hissuffering and death on the cross. There is acunning adversary that is ever-tempting us to strayfrom that straight and narrow path. I’m sure thatwe love our Lord, and in our better moments wehave strong desires to keep His commandments.

One of those commandments is to keep theSabbath Day holy. “Keep the sabbath day tosanctify it, as the Lord thy God hath commandedthee.” (Deut. 5:12) This means not to do anyunnecessary work or cause others to work on theLord’s Day. When we patronize a business on theSabbath, we not only cause others to work, we arerewarding the business owner with profit on theLord’s Day. (Read D&C 59:2f-3a) Of course,there are many necessary jobs like health care,safety personnel, firemen, utility crews and manymore. We need to use good judgment with ourstewardship, and spend that day in a mannerpleasing to God. There are many things that wecan do on the Sabbath, i.e., attend Churchservices, rest from our labors, enjoy familyfellowship, study the scriptures, spend time inprayer, visit the sick, make phone calls to thelonely, and most of all, worship our Lord.

We are commanded to love God and oneanother. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with

all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with allthy mind, and with all thy strength. This is thefirst commandment. And the second is like this,Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There isnone other commandment greater than these.”(Mark 12:35,36) It is easy for us to find fault withothers instead of recognizing the good in them.Everyone has some good qualities and we need toappreciate them for what they are. When we areable to help someone with encouraging counsel oradvice, not only are they blessed, but we too findjoy in helping them. It’s so easy for us to excuseourselves for not reaching out to minister or assistthose in need. It takes so little time to pick up thetelephone and tell someone that you are thinkingabout them and praying for them. Maybe there isa young mother who needs a break; someone isbed-ridden and would really enjoy a meal broughtin; the neighbor’s lawn mower broke down andyou can give a hand; a lift to the market can bedeeply appreciated by someone who has no car.The list goes on and on. We must pray fordiscernment to recognize and then try to meetthose needs.

Many of us are anxiously looking forward tocommunity living. We must first be a sanctifiedpeople, keeping all of His commandments. We areto obey the financial law, pay our tithing, andmake our consecration. We are not asked to giveour “all” to the Bishop. We are to acknowledgethat God is the owner of all things, and we are butstewards over what He has given us. We list ourassets and ask for guidance with our stewardship.The Bishop will help us make wise decisions, andas we do so, we are blessed beyond measure. Ofcourse, we must be a united people or we will notbe His. “Let harmony and good will prevail, notonly among those who are called to communityplanning, but among all the Church membersalike as the foundation of that Zionic endeavor,so long hoped for, unfolds.” (D&C R-150:6b)

from the

Order of Patriarch/Evangelists

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The joy and happiness we will share when Zionputs on her beautiful garments, will be sweeterthan we can imagine. Others in the world willcome to look upon her and learn of her ways. (Isa.2:2-3)

When we consider “how shall we live now?,”one of the greatest concerns must be our familyrelationships. We dare not neglect the importantrole each one in the family plays. When we loveand respect each other by sharing, giving supportand encouraging each other, we then are samplingZionic living. Indebtedness and financialproblems cause stress, disunity and divorce.Credit cards make it too easy to buy and getourselves overextended. We need to heed theadvice we have received to become debt-free.Avoid those high interest rates and you will beblessed. (Read D&C 85:38a-c)

We must not only keep God’s laws but alsothe laws of the land. Laws are there for yours andothers’ protection and safety. Speed limits areposted to help us avoid dangerous situations.There are warning signs that tell of danger aheadso you can stay in control. We can use our agencyand ignore those signs at the risk of paying apenalty, or we can choose to obey them. God hasalso given us warning signs to help us avoid painand discomfort. The Word of Wisdom is given forour benefit that we can “run and not be weary,…walk and not faint.” (D&C 86:3d)

We need to set a time for study, prayer andfasting. “Study to show thyself approved untoGod, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth.” ( II Timothy2:15) We get so busy with routine schedules aswell as extra-curricular activities that it is difficultto take time to study. “Therefore, verily I sayunto you,...seek ye diligently and teach oneanother words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of thebest books words of wisdom; seek learning evenby study, and also by faith. Organize yourselves;prepare every needful thing, and establish ahouse, even a house of prayer, a house offasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, ahouse of glory, a house of order, a house ofGod.” (D&C 85:36a-b) In our home, we have ourdaily devotions and prayer time before breakfast.We fast prior to our worship services, bothmorning and night, and also before prayer service.If missing a meal doesn’t work for you and yourfamily, fast from something that will help you tothink of your Lord, and worship and praise Him.

We have a favorite hymn that we love to sing.“The Old, Old Path” inspires us to greater love ofGod and our fellow man. May we walk steadfastlyin the path, for the Savior walks all the way withyou. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, a lightunto my path.” (Psa. 119:105) P

By William D. McCurry

**********You are invited to direct your questions orinquiries to the Order of Patriarch/Evangelists, atthe address listed for Church Headquarters. P

NEGATIVE SELF-TALK I’ve never done it before. It’s too complicated. I don’t have the resources. There’s not enough time. There’s no way it will work. It’s too radical a change. No one bothers to communicate with me. I’m not going to get any better at this.

POSITIVE THINKING It’s an opportunity to learn something new. I’ll tackle it from a different angle. Necessity is the mother of invention. Let’s re-evaluate some priorities. I can try to make it work. Let’s take a chance. I’ll see if I can open the channels of communication. I’ll give it another try.

Why not decide which outlook works best for your life.

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By Lane W. Harold

My intention is to make some comments aboutAmerica’s present bleak outlook. The burningquestion is: Can our nation hold together until ourRemnant Saints can build a functioning Zioniccommunity, which the Lord can then lead andprotect? News-clips from around the world arebeginning to confirm that the “wolf” of soon-coming “creditor-enforced impoverishment” iseven now at every American’s doorstep. Yet nomajor political candidate has chosen to reveal themagnitude of this crisis; certainly no one hasproposed a national program to attempt to dealeffectively with it. Yet our Lord warned the Saintsof this coming crisis 176 years ago, in the familiarbut somber counsel He gave in D&C 1:3-4, and inmany subsequent revelations.

Recently, an article in U. S. News and WorldReport pointed out encouraging steps towardeventual American energy self-sufficiency. Thenation is beginning to realize that we must makemore renewable energy, to replace imported oilwhich is now clearly growing unaffordable. Thisnews article described the many impressiverenewable-energy breakthroughs that are currentlyhappening. It suggests that there may yet be asuccessful program commercialized to generatesizable quantities of affordable solar energy, andthen harness this power to the electrical grid. Atlong last, some serious venture capital is nowbeing invested in several remote desert places—ideal solar locations—around the world. Themassive investments are finally being made byfar-sighted private entrepreneurs, and not just bygovernment research labs, as typically happenedin the past. Many similar developments nowappear to be underway worldwide.

While this is a refreshing new trend, it neededto have happened 25 years ago. We are now indeep trouble on several vital fronts. It mayactually be too late to revive Americaeconomically! This analytical comment is beingmade in the hope of convincing hesitant RemnantSaints that we must make some criticalpreparations promptly for our Zionic alternativebecause our revered nation has, over the last 50years, been managed into near-economic-oblivion. I will discuss three vital areas of ournational fortunes: our economic health, the effectsof continuing energy-dependency, and economicimplications of our present populationdemographics. America’s leaders for decadeshave been content to talk about solving theseproblems, but did not follow up with meaningfulactions. Now those “chickens” of past years ofdelay and postponed action are “coming home toroost.”

For the past several months, the news aboutour nation—militarily, governmentally andeconomically—has all seemed uniformlydiscouraging. I often ask myself how our nationalleaders can sleep at night? How can a great nationthat used to have so many genuine resources andproven societal strengths now be using them sopoorly? Where is the needed foresight ofcourageous leaders like Washington, Lincoln orTruman when we so desperately need them?Could it be that after 230 years, the Lord’spatience with an increasingly godless UnitedStates has finally run out?

A preoccupied electorate is now continuallydistracted with another “pre-election circus.”

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Our media continue to be obsessed withendless debates, charges and counter-charges,now being repetitively uttered by the dozen ormore candidates for President. Meanwhile,prodigious amounts of media-time, money andpleas for the attention of the electorate are beingspent. Media advertising departments aredelighted to promote this rhetorical circus,because it earns them millions of dollars. But it’snot comforting to realize that this process willcontinue to preoccupy our citizens for anotheryear, until this “winnowing process” is finallyover, and voting can take place.

Surely it could be arranged to structure anelection campaign that lasted no more than threemonths (six weeks might be better), so that wecould all briefly focus our undivided attention andthen make our informed choices, and get on withsolving the more pressing problems that onlywell-informed citizens can solve. Some will arguethat nothing could be more important to us thanselecting a President and a Congress. The irony ofthat logic is that we will more than likely bepoorly and expensively governed by any one ofthem in spite of the two-year-long rhetoricalblizzard that we will have paid all this money toconduct—money that has been borrowed fromChina and other foreign lenders, on interest! Theactual person and party placed in the White Housewill likely be unable or unwilling to do very muchof what he or she has promised.

Financial problems have been greatlyexacerbated by both our worsening energydependency and a war that can seemingly“neither be won nor stopped.”

A year ago, the electorate grew dissatisfiedand decisively changed the ruling party in theCongress to signal their demand that theintractable and increasingly expensive wars inIraq and Afghanistan be ended. The ruling partieschanged but the political rhetoric merelyreadjusted. After these years of fighting to helpthem, it appears that Islamic Iraq and Afghanistancannot be successfully democratized. This isbecause, like so many Islamic governments fromtheir long, valiant past, the moderate majoritiesamong them appear unwilling to invest the effortit takes to inform themselves, reject Arab

propaganda and hate-literature, and defend theirnewly democratic institutions. In time, thesemoderate majorities willingly surrender theirnations back to the violent rule of radical and self-serving minorities.

These wars still go on, having now cost usalmost 4000 soldiers’ lives and about $450billion. Monthly budget deficits have climbedastronomically high, necessitating our borrowingmore and more money from foreign creditors tofinance our mounting debt. This is just one ofseveral ways that the present and future financialstrength of the United States is beingunintentionally drained away. It was the hope ofthe original coalition of nations, that with theremoval of the brutal dictator, Saddam Hussein,and with the introduction of a democraticgovernment, first into Iraq as a showcase, andeventually into Afghanistan, that a more just andpeaceful future might ultimately be brought to theentire Middle East.

But Iraq’s new “democratic” government hasbecome riddled with corruption and constantquarreling between the Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds.It now seems unlikely that their moderate majorityis prepared to expel the many extremists whohave infiltrated. These suicide bombers are slowlydestroying the new nation’s hopes. Americaseems “stuck” in an intractable war. Having“broken” the old brutal, dictatorial Iraq, we arenow blamed because we cannot in four yearsseem to find a way to “fix” it. This is anillustration of applying a human remedy to anintractable political/religious situation that canonly be properly “fixed” by the working exampleof an “outreaching Zionic community”empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Our quest for energy self-sufficiency is 25years behind.

To add to our economic distress, the prices ofmotor fuel, natural gas and electricity are allclimbing inexorably, as growing energy demandspush up the prices of available suppliesworldwide. However, too many of our citizens arestill convinced that the glory days of cheap andabundant fuel could soon return “if only greedyinternational oil companies and otheropportunistic financial interests would be

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legislatively compelled to stop withholdingavailable supplies, in order to be able to chargethese exorbitant prices.” This has, for 25 years,kept politicians from embracing any meaningfulalternative energy program. How many citizensrealize that gasoline has sold for $5-8 per gallonin Europe and much of the rest of the non-Arabicworld for years, and that evenChina actually ran short of oil-derived fuels momentarilyduring the last week ofOctober? It had to initiatetemporary fuel-rationing insome parts of their vastnation. That may be a previewof what we in the U. S. maysoon face. Fuel demand innewly-prosperous China aswell as Northern India isgrowing so fast that world energy production andrefining cannot keep up. If the world supplyproblem were merely the result of corporategame-playing, China would intervene militarily.For many years, American gasoline has actuallybeen posted below comparable prices in mostother non-OPEC nations. Yet some critics are stillconvinced that our current price problem is theresult of some mysterious conspiracy!

For all but the last two decades of the 20th

century, the U. S. was an energy powerhouse. Butthen our own supplies dwindled and our leaders,newly confronted by tough environmentallegislation, became hesitant to either launch outinto new and challenging alternative energy fieldsor to take meaningful steps to try to limit growingU. S. consumption. Europe had effectively limitedusage by imposing very high fuel and energytaxes, and foreign drivers chose to purchase small,fuel-efficient cars. However, American drivers—defying what was already forecast as much higherfuture energy prices—bravely bought largeSUV’s, vans and pickup trucks. It was in responseto these frugal foreign markets that Japanesemanufacturers developed gasoline-electric“hybrid” automobiles, while we in the U. S. weresnapping up fuel-guzzling SUV’s.

The result of this usage pattern, particularlysince about 1975, was that the U. S. beganimporting ever-larger quantities of oil and gas

from foreign producers. These suppliers overtime, and for political reasons, have becomeincreasingly hostile to American policies anddemocratic principles. A large part of our recentnegative balance-of-payments has been incurredto buy all this imported fuel. To make a toughsupply situation even worse, since about 1980 we

have chosen to build no newnuclear power plants (bothfor safety and environmentalreasons), and far fewer-than-needed fossil-fuel powerplants, relative to ourgrowing demand forelectricity. Nuclear powergeneration got a bad name in1987, with the accidentalrelease of radiation at theplant in Chernobyl, Russia. It

has never fully recovered its reputation inAmerica. This melt-down turned out to be theresult of a faulty Russian plant-design, coupledwith careless operation. Europe understood thisdiagnosis and kept buying improved nuclearreactors, but America quit “cold-turkey.” Today,the nation of France has 80% nuclear electricitygeneration (we have 20%), and is responsiblydisposing of its radioactive waste within its ownnation and without triggering political hysteria.

Currently, America has some electrical grids(on the two coasts) that are nearly maxed-outevery summer and winter season, and thus areprone to rolling brownouts and storm-triggeredfailures. Yet we continue to take few serious stepsto limit our constantly-growing electrical demand.By our continuing inattention to this hugeproblem, we encourage our policy-makers toassume that we will settle for “just getting by” anddoing nothing.

We are buying more and more from ourneighbors, and charging it to our national“credit card.”

Imported energy is not the only thing we havedeveloped an appetite to enjoy abundantly. TheUnited States, while being rich in many resources,has been content to abandon much of its domesticmanufacturing, and instead buys goods andservices from lower-cost countries beyond our

Prov 29:18

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borders. Such imports cost money but generatefew jobs. We have now lost many manufacturingskills by simply no longer employing them. SinceWorld War II, we have incurred a national debtthat now has passed $9 trillion. Even the yearlybill to merely pay the interest on this debt istremendous. Making matters worse, politicianshave regularly dipped into the Social Security“till” and borrowed all those accumulating TrustFunds, in order to appear to reduce the size ofeach year’s published debt summary. Since bothparties have regularly done this, arguing aboutthis strategy is no longer “politically correct.” Asthe so-called “world’s richest country” we arenow habituated to borrowing continuously fromnations that only recently we regarded as poor andneedy, like China and India.

In a model of national recovery that we shouldnow emulate, Japan emerged from World War IIwith almost nothing, but soon set aboutovercoming that condition through decades ofcontrolled consumption, very hard work and rigideconomic discipline. Today, the poorest 10% ofour U. S. population makes more annual incomethan the poorer three-fourths of the rest of theworld. Yet, ignoring the obvious need for morefrugality, we are the ones currently borrowing andconsuming ourselves into the “poorhouse.”

Today the value of the American dollar isfading fast. The treasurers of the various nationsare noting that America is hooked on credit andmay never pay her massive debts. Like aneconomic drunk at the bar, we cannot seem tostop our “credit binge-drinking.” In seven years,the U. S. dollar has lost over 48% of its originalbuying power against the Euro (one Euro nowbuys $1.48), and today the U. S. dollar stands at$1.06 against the Canadian dollar; just a few yearsago it took only $0.60 U.S. to buy one Canadiandollar. I can’t imagine a worse scenario thanhaving a weak and fading currency with which weexpect to continue buying scarce world oil to feedour energy-craving economy, but one that is stillhighly dependent on oil-derived fuels.

We are getting energy help from solar, windand alcohol; these may be “too little, too late.”

Solar and wind energy are extremelyimportant. This is a very encouraging trend which

we should certainly continue, but for perspective,we have only recently started to construct thesefacilities in such a way as to make a noticeabledent (perhaps 5% within five years) in our currentimported energy demand. The same is true withgrain-based alcohol fuels.

In 1979-80, I worked by invitation on U. S.President Carter’s National Alcohol FuelsCommission in Washington, D.C. This was anincredibly enlightening experience as a means ofunderstanding our national energy problems. Inthose days, grain-derived alcohol was onlymarginally economic when added to gasoline at1980 prices, but farmers trying to increase thevalue and usefulness of their grains hoped thatwould soon change. Fuel alcohol had a lot ofcomplex distribution problems which manyconsumers did not understand. Early on, refiners’reluctance to introduce gasoline into blends wasinterpreted as “purposeful oil-company foot-dragging.” At the Commission we concluded that,because of these problems, fuel alcoholproduction would increase gradually, rising fromthe 300-million-gallon level we were thenmaking, but be incapable of supplying theenormous buildup we needed.

In 1980, we felt the real opportunity for high-tech America was to rapidly develop a coal- andshale-based synthetic fuels industry. America stillhas lots of coal and oil-shale, several hundredyears’ worth, but utilizing it will be a difficultenvironmental challenge. We knew its proper usewould take a massive government investment, aswell as a lot of courageous leadership to launchthis new industry. But at least the coal or shaleused, and the jobs created, would all benefit theAmerican economy. This synfuels development(synthetic liquid fuels) actually began in 1980-84,but the wary OPEC nations soon lowered theirprices just enough (temporarily) thatgovernmental policy-makers decided not tocontinue those few early projects. Sensing ourcitizens’ lack of determination, they decided thatit was economically cheaper in the short range,and politically less risky, just to go on payingeach year’s import bill for those ever-increasingshipments of foreign oil.

Because of this, America never developed thisessential industry after 1984. The public never

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knew or believed that we desperately needed it tosave America from eventual bankruptcy. Theynever understood that American oil reserves,however large at that time, had finite limits, andthe remaining world oil reserves were now largelybeing found in foreign lands. In 1984, we settledfor a “quick fix.” We failed to look ahead, asJoseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream (Gen.41:1-38, I.V.) had illustrated. It caused Joseph to“look ahead” and thus save ancient Egypt fromstarvation.

In 1984, Americans were enjoying the yearsof plenty with then-affordable (we thought)imported oil, but we failed to comprehend thatthose years of “famine”—steadily higher-cost oilneeded in prodigious amounts, which we could nolonger afford—would also come. Our nationalpredicament would grow ever more critical in thefuture, when our financial capabilities would bediminished (as they now are). Politicians fromboth parties chose not to undertake the politically-dangerous selling job that such a massive andenvironmentally-challenging domestic programwould have required in those early years of ourinitial energy dependency.

Instead, we took the politically easier road.Over the next 25 years, we spent the manybillions of dollars that this coal-based synfuelsdevelopment would have cost, using them to buyever-larger imports from the oil-rich nations suchas Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Nigeria, Libya, Venezuela,Mexico and Canada. Except for the latter two,most of those nations have now becomeincreasingly unfriendly to U. S. supply problemsand currency weakness. In a tight market, theirfuture oil supplies cannot be counted on.

The alcohol fuels industry is touted by someto be a significant potential offset to this presentoil dependency. This industry has grownremarkably to 6.5 billion gallons per year, but weare already seeing serious resulting increases inthe prices of food and milk. And even this 20-foldincrease in production is only equal to the yearlyoutput of two large oil refineries. For perspective,the U.S. has over fifty large oil refineries stilloperating in the United States.

Only when additional alcohol can be madefrom widely-available biomass (plant leaf tissue)can this industry hope to make its portion of the

ever-larger fuel inputs we need. However, thecosts of the required technology for biomass-based alcohol manufacturing plants are currentlymuch higher, and need further development. Butwe also still need some of those huge coal-basedsynfuels plants that we chose not to build in the1980's. If we now belatedly develop a synfuelsindustry, we will have to borrow the massivedevelopment funds in our now-weakenedeconomic condition. Foreign lenders may thinktwice before extending us this much additionalcredit, while still financing our imported oil bill.Instead, exercising the role of Gog and Magog,they might choose to bankrupt us and then seek totake over the broken fragments militarily. Thiswould be the ultimate “hostile takeover.” In ourpresent complacency, we could easily become“economic slaves” of those very creditor-nationswho have been better planners than we!

There is a coming tidal wave of Baby Boomersand their Social-Security entitlements.

The United States Government is about to behit with a demographic “tidal wave of need” formassive funds in the Social Security TrustAccount, those same funds kept in that “drawer”which is currently empty of money, and insteadfull of government I.O.U.’s. The Baby Boomerswill be starting to retire in 2008, and theirnumbers will soon swell to a tidal wave that willnot subside for at least 25-40 years! This hugefinancial drain on the Social Security TrustAccount will somehow have to compete forcurrent congressional funding, along with thosebills for our continuing imported-energydependency, and that in addition to ourcontinuing payment of debt interest to all thoseforeign lenders who have for years been buyingour bonds, and thus covering our massive andgrowing national debt.

Only if we can successfully keep these three“juggling balls” simultaneously in the air can weprotect the financial integrity of our internationalcredit rating—which is reflected in the value of ourAmerican dollar and the workability of theeconomy which it undergirds. Another alternative, amassive inflation of printed paper dollars, isreminiscent of the strategy used by Germany’sWeimar Government after World War I.

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Let us now attempt to interpret what all thesetrends mean to Remnant Saints. Our Lord has toldus, at various times and through several faithfulRestoration Prophets, that we are “to gather inrighteousness to the area around Jackson County,”to promptly “come out of Babylon,” and to “builda righteous community” consisting of Hisgathered people. For 150 years, thesecommandments have proved to be very difficult toactually carry out. They have required a degree ofdetermination and unity which the gatheringgroup of Saints have never yet attained.Meanwhile, our prosperous American 20th centuryhas been so comfortable and so adequate that wehave only barely responded to free ourselves fromour historic dependency upon it.

Up until now our Lord has always extended usmore time. But now, something new is fastdeveloping. Our host nation,that democratically-freeeconomy which hasprovided us with all thefruits of sustenance over allthese years, is now givingevidence of dying out fromunder us. This societyappears to be a victim of itsown luxurious living, its lackof financial planning and itsgrowing crime- andcorruption-plaguedworldliness. Unfortunately, in spite of our havingreceived many warnings over the years about thedanger of this continuing temporal reliance, weare still mostly dependant on the U. S. economy.

Within the last few Remnant revelations, weare now seemingly being given the choice ofgetting on the Lord’s symbolic “latter-day Ark,”or taking our chances with this indifferent world,still languishing in sin all around us. Having neverseen a torrential rain storm, Noah’s other familymembers opted to take their chances in the societyaround them. Only Noah, his three sons, and theirindividual wives, came aboard the Ark they hadassembled during those 120 years. Before Noah’svery eyes, these many people perished as helooked on helplessly from the now-floating Ark.There was no going back allowed, no secondchance for reversing their earlier decision not toparticipate!

We Latter Day Saints and our ancestors havebeen trying to build a divinely-called-for

community in Jackson County for at least 120years. Now, a similar day of final decision,regarding our willingness to participate in such acommunity (or in the serious neighborhood-leavening alternative), appears to be bearing downon each of us, too. Judging from the just-described current condition of these United States,that decision day may be just around the corner!

Through our current Prophet, the Lord haspatiently given us instructions which areconsistent with those He had given to severalearlier Latter Day Prophets. We should view theseas a validation of Latter Day revelation. This isour day of opportunity; will we seize it? Today,we are being presented with the same type ofmomentous decision that both Noah’s people andlater Moses’ people had to make. Do we get intothe Ark? Do we walk out of Egypt into that hot,

forbidding desert, on our wayto the Promised Land? Forus, today, do we go forth intothis unknown “communityadventure” on the basis ofGod’s continuing instructionsand blessings, or do we againdelay, equivocate and hedge,as our ancestors did, hopingfor still more time?

As I drive east on TrumanRoad, I pass through thoselands which were sacrificially

purchased by the Saints of the ReorganizedChurch. These are the very lands which are nowbeing sold by the Community of Christ (forbudget-supportive church income) to HarmonyDevelopment Corporation for a publicenterprise—but not for a Zionic Community.Those well-intentioned Saints of the early 20th

century, whose monies bought these lands, hadsubsequently been beset by division within theChurch, followed by the trauma of the GreatDepression. They were understandably unable tofollow through on their earlier intentions. Thisland still lies undeveloped today, but not for muchlonger. Now it is our turn to show what RemnantSaints will do—plans that unfortunately requirenew land, which we have yet to possess: “...andye are called to bring to pass the gathering ofmine elect, for mine elect hear my voice andharden not their hearts; wherefore the decreehath gone forth from the Father that they shallbe gathered in unto one place, upon the face of

this land, to prepare their hearts...in all things,against the day when tribulation and desolationare sent forth upon the wicked; for the hour isnigh, and the day soon at hand, when the earthis ripe; and all the proud, and they that dowickedly, shall be as stubble, and I will burnthem up, saith the Lord of Hosts, thatwickedness shall not be upon the earth;...for Iwill reveal myself from heaven with power andgreat glory, with all the hosts thereof, and dwellin righteousness with men on earth a thousandyears, and the wicked shall not stand.” (D&C28:2c-e, g)

How ironic that at the very time this JacksonCounty land is so desperately needed for itsoriginally-intended purpose, this land is beingsold for commercial development for anenormous sum of money. The sale is needed tosupport the lifestyles of a church administration

whose leaders no longer believe in or value thescripturally-commanded Zion which our Lorddescribed for Joseph Smith, Jr. (see Gen.7:1-79,I.V.). Accordingly, that large parcel of land (some2600 acres) won’t be used for such a Zionicenterprise. Their day of opportunity seems to havepassed. Let us pray sincerely that each of us,including all the faithful but scattered Saints ofour day, can sense the urgency of our times.Viewing America’s present troubles, let us hopethat we have now come to sense the temporarynature and the fallibility of all manmadeinstitutions. Only those causes founded onGod’s commandments will prosper. Let us praythat as a Remnant people, we are now prepared tomove forward into something that He hascommanded and that has eternal permanence. P

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whose arm of mercy hath atoned for your sins,who will gather his people even as a hengathereth her chickens under her wings, even asmany as will hearken to my voice (He’s talking tous.) and humble themselves before me, and callupon me in mighty prayer.” He’s talking about agathering, but in a lot of outlying areas of theChurch the people have by now effectively lostthat message of the gathering. But He said in1830, “...ye are called to bring to pass thegathering of mine elect, (and it tells who the electare) for mine elect hear my voice and harden nottheir hearts; (and that’s a problem with ussometimes, because we soon become ingrainedand steeped in the tradition of our past response.)wherefore the decree hath gone forth from theFather that they shall be gathered in unto oneplace, upon the face of this land, to prepare theirhearts, and be prepared in all things, against theday when tribulation and desolation are sentupon the wicked; for the hour is nigh, and theday soon at hand, when the earth is ripe; and allthe proud, and they that do wickedly, shall be asstubble, and I will burn them up, saith the Lordof hosts...” (D&C 28:2c-e)

Furthermore, in D&C 83:9 we read: “Verily,verily I say unto you, who now have my words,

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which is my voice,...” This is our Liahona, our

guidance system, the very thing that will direct usinto His Kingdom, through a knowledge andunderstanding of those scriptures. The wording ofD&C 85 helps us to discern what that true will ofGod is. We must have the faith necessary to tapinto the Holy Spirit, which is the mind and will ofthe Godhead. We must obey the blueprint [thescriptures] that He has given us. If we can do that,the Kingdom of Zion can be a close reality.Indeed, it is a reality for us, and we are so close.

There’s an excitement in the air. As you senseit, don’t let the little things and the pettinessseparate us. In D&C Section 85:16a, it says, “Andagain, verily I say unto you, my friends, I leavethese sayings with you to ponder in your heartwith this commandment which I give unto you,that ye shall call upon me while I am near...” Inanother verse this scripture says, “...Because myvoice is Spirit; and my Spirit is truth: truthabideth and hath no end; and if it be in you itshall abound. And if your eye be single to myglory, your whole bodies shall be filled with lightand there shall be no darkness in you, and thatbody which is filled with light comprehendeth allthings. Therefore, (people of the RemnantChurch) sanctify yourselves that your mindsbecome single to God, and the days will comethat you shall see him, for he will unveil his face

unto you...” (D&C 85:17-18) P

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by Jerry Wilhite

Shown above is the gathered group of Saintsenjoying a brief get-together in Walla Walla,Washington. Those who could travel the longdistances from our existing Branches at MagicValley (Twin Falls) and Treasure Valley (Boise)in Idaho drove 260-400 miles northwest to greetthese Walla Walla Saints. Thirteen other Saintsfrom the Laurier, Washington area at theCanadian border were invited but could notattend.

Seventy Jim Watkins had been promotingand nurturing these groups for some time beforeWinifred (Winnie, age 84, second from the left,front row) was inspired to do the painting of theThree in One that was presented toHeadquarters. When Seventy Jim Watkinsdisplayed her painting to the Magic Valleygroup, the feeling of closeness to the WallaWalla Saints was felt so strongly by all that wefelt compelled to provide them with groupassociation to strengthen them because they areso isolated. The group near the Canadian borderwere invited also, and the Magic Valley groupdecided to pay for their gas, but they wereunable to join us.

We decided to invite those from the Boise(Treasure Valley) group that could go with us toincrease the support because we know there isstrength in numbers. We hoped this wouldenrich the lives of the Walla Walla Saints andgive them a sense of unity and love that shouldbe displayed by all Remnant Saints.

Saturday evening after our meal we had aclass on prayer, facilitated by Presiding EldersJerry Wilhite (Magic Valley) and Ted Kollecker(Treasure Valley). Sunday morning prayer andtestimony was presided over by BrotherKollecker. The Sacrament service was handledby Elder Jim Watkins, (presiding) assisted byElders Ted Kollecker, Jerry Wilhite and PriestTony Hill. We truly felt the Holy Spirit in greatpower and strength, both Saturday and Sunday.

I believe all of us felt that deep love that weare told to display in preferring one another inall things (Rom. 12:10). We were truly blessedand enriched by this experience. Whether itrequires two miles or five hundred miles, weshould never forget the parable of the ninety-and-nine sheep. P

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Marlin, TX Branch,Elder Arthur Allenreporting

Sperry, OK BranchSister Pat Whitemanreporting

A busy summer and fallhave unfolded forSperry Branch. Threeordinations were heldJune 3, with Lee Princeordained to Teacher, John Seaton to Priest andJimmy Crank to Deacon. A Vacation BibleSchool, with sessions held at night, averaged 40in attendance. The women’s classes spent fiveweeks studying Apostle Killpack’s book on thewritings of James. The women also sewedautograph pillows for this summer’s Blackgumcampers.

Summer birthdays were celebrated by BobWatkins (83), Arizona Taylor (90), both Mortonand Frances Hampton, and William Jobe fromhis service base in Iraq. We have just receivedword that Priest William Jobe has arrived safelyback in the U.S. from his tour of duty. With hissafe return, many prayers have been answered.His parents, Robert and Patti Jobe, justcelebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.

Matthew Jobe has recently been honored atthe national FFA Convention in Indianapoliswith the coveted American Farmer Degree. Healso earned a 4.0 grade average and a listing onhis college’s President’s Honor List.

Priest David Guthrie has agreed to direct ournewly-organized choir, assisted by JonnettaSelvidge as accompanist.

The Remnant Travelers group, consisting ofApostle Jim Rogers, Seventy Don Burnett,Bishop Dan Keleher, High Priest Sam Dyer, Jr.,and Patriarch/Evangelist Ernie Shank, visited themembership on September 12-15. Activitiesincluded a light dinner, fellowship, and next-dayvisiting teams preceded by a prayer service.Sunday service included a Prayer Service for theCongregation, presided over byPatriarch/Evangelist Ernie Shank, and a

preaching service by Don Burnett (presiding)and Jim Rogers (preaching). All then enjoyedthe fellowship of a Basket Dinner. Other recentguest ministers at Sperry included PresidentLane Harold, and Bishops Don Owens andAlbert Burdick.

Recent baptisms included Brennan andBryce Shook, and Donna, Cori, Matthew andJoshua Madding. The newly ordained priesthoodmembers all attended the Priesthood Orientationclasses October 6 at the Gathering Place.Apostle Jim Rogers showed them the variousChurch sites in Independence. October activitiesincluded a Game Night and a Fish Fry, with fishprovided by Howard and Anna Gosser. P

It is with heavy heartand a greatsense of lossthat we informthe Saints of therecent passing ofElder William (Bill)Saxton and Sister MarthaLouise Reneau of our Branch.Brother Saxton suffered a suddenheart attack on October 1, from which he did notrecover. Sister Reneau had been in failing healthfor some time, and was visited in her hospitalroom at Waco by President Ostrander, alongwith Elders Roger Schuelke and Arthur Allen,during the weekend of the 110th-year celebrationof their existence as a congregation inSeptember.

Brother Saxton’s loss from the MarlinBranch leadership, where he was counselor tothe Presiding Elder, will be sorely felt, as he hadshared many rich experiences with the Marlin

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Saints and many others. He was also BranchTreasurer and Bishop’s Agent for the GeneralChurch. The congregation is especially glad towelcome Elder Rick Hoover of Houston, whohas joined our group by affiliation, and is able toshare his ministry on the second and fourthSundays of every month.

Sister Laura Ann Huseby has been appointedas the new Branch Treasurer and Bishop’sAgent, and the Branch is grateful for herwillingness to serve.

Other ministerial opportunities have takenElders Schuelke and Allen to Mission, Texas toconduct a final service for Sister Sharon Morisof the U.S. Air Force, with full military honors,and to Midland, Texas to provide supportministry for a church school teacher for theChristian Church, and to his wife and children.Unfortunately, this Christian friend did notsurvive his health crisis. P

Our Branch is recovering fromthe effects of the devastating firestorms that struck southern

California in October.Fortunately, none of our

circle of members andfriends suffered

direct firedamage to theirhomes or

property.However, three

members were evacuated from theirhomes for two days when the fires got close.Sister Josephine Tong was forced out by theSantiago Fire, which also temporarily closed theuniversity where she goes to school. PriestTimothy and Regina McMillan were also forcedout of their home in Mission Viejo by theOrange County fire. Everyone in the entire areastruggles with massive amounts of smoke andashes which have required much cleaning andscrubbing.

We are very thankful to have suffered no loss oflife or lost property, but we ask the Saints topray that we might receive significant rainfall. Inall of 2007, we have received only a few lightsprinkles. P

West Virginia Study Group – New MartinsvilleSister Elsie Lemasters sadly reports the passing ofher mother, Sister Mildred Clapham onNovember 8, 2007. She has been a long-timesupporter of an increased presence for theRemnant Church among the Saints of WestVirginia and eastern Ohio. Seventy John Dollenhas been traveling to this area to bring periodicworship services. Sister Clapham will be sorelymissed. P

Carthage, Missouri Saints, under the currentleadership of Presiding Elder Ronald Westbay,have been meetingfor several years inBrother Ernie Shank’sgarage. A newly-purchased facility(pictured on the backcover), when fixed up forChurch services, willprovide a much-improvedenvironment for worship services, prayermeetings, and classes.

The General Church Board of Appropriationsmet on November 3 and authorized a loan forthe Carthage Branch, which they will pay backin the years ahead. The sale was finalized onNovember 12. The Branch had accumulated thegreater part of the cost of the new building, sothe loan will be quite manageable. The Boardalso approved a smaller grant which will enablethe Branch to make a few needed repairs to thewell-kept but 102-year-old structure, as well asto obtain any furnishings they will need inaddition to those pieces they have used in theirpast quarters. P

Southland BranchElder Armand Wijckmansreporting

Carthage Branch

Non-Profit Org.U. S. Postage

P A I DIndependence, MO

CH

THE NEWLY-PURCHASED MEETING PLACE FOR THE CARTHAGE, MISSOURI BRANCH

We congratulate the Saints at Carthage for their patience and tenacity, traits that havemade possible this purchase to insure their ministry being available for the years ahead,

which we trust will be rewarding.

The Hastening TimesRemnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints700 W. Lexington

Permit No. 391Independence, MO 64050

ANGE SERVICE REQUESTED